Dear Sirー

Notwithstanding the inclosed Letter, or I Should Say the Letter in which this is inclosed, is Signed by order of the Council of Safety ー I do not like it ー it was written late in the Evening when Gentlemen seemed desirous of retiring to their Beds & disinclined to reconsider or even fully consider ー I therefore, now they are all probably on their pillows, take the liberty of recommending & desiring, you will, in the first Instance, if you meet the Brigt offer to purchase the Gun powder at Six or even Seven pounds Sterling P Ct & Muskets & Ball, if any, at prices in proportion & for the amount you may draw on me as President of the Council of Safety & depend upon it such draughts to the amount of Fifteen Hundred pounds Sterliny if needful shall be paid, if the Council will not justify this act ー I must for their & my own Sake so far this request of mine cannot work any contradiction to the Councils orders which must be obeyed if there is a necessity for it, in Case the Captain of the Brigt. will not sell ー if he will then certainly we shall be all much better pleased by a purchase than we shall be to obtain the articles by force & violence ー I wish you success in all your enterprizes & beg you to add my Compliments & good wishes to the Gentlemen your Companions & I remain with great regard &cー