Dear Jonny.

Yours of the 12th 17th & 29th by Captns Oakman Chase and Johnson I received. Pierce is not yet arrived. am glad to hear of your safe arrival after your disagreeable passage. Capt Oakman arrived here about the 20th Ult all well. I am sorry you was so much alarmed as not to suffer him to bring Salt, as that Article has been sold at 7/6 this fall. I have taken a freight for the Sloop from the Publick as no private person will be admitted to Load their Vessels for the West Indies. She is to discharge her Cargo at some foreign Island near where you are, who she will be consigned to is yet uncertain. If I could insured them that you would be there ready to receive her Cargo, you would have had the Consignment, and perhaps I may procure it for you yet. A Vanbiber goes out a factor for the publick and says if she is addressed to him that he will give up the Commission to you, he has 5 Vessels Consigned to him and would be glad to have your assistance to which I have no objection provided it does not interfere with your own business and he gives you such part of the Commission as you think worth your notice. as to your coming home I will not pretend to advise. we have no business here nor can I say when we will. I apprehend there will be a risque in coming on the Coast in the Spring after the E. [English] Fleet arrives. therefore if possible be home before that period if you intend coming this Spring. also send your property away with all Speed, as it is expected the American Fleet will keep them employed until they are Reinforced.

I wrote you the 16 Novr by Mr. N[eil]'s Schooner but hope you did not receive it, as the Import of it was to desire you to Remit Bills to London as I then thought the risque too great in bringing goods Home, but now I am of a different Sentiment, and had I any sum would order it all in goods. Such of our Countrymen as has returned with goods has made out well. it is said that R: Makem has cleared above £1500 and some others more.

Such Goods as you have out to sell on Commission be careful to observe the Orders given by the owners. I am sorry you parted with any article of your Cargo that would keep, as every hour you keep it, it must rise in value, as the Ports on this Continent will certainly be continued Shut whilst the Contest lasts. the Smuggling out of Virginia that you mention was by the Tories at Norfolk I suppose and that is at an end. were peace to be Restored this Winter and you inclined to Stay some time there I will send you out as much produce as you can Sell, but at present every thing is so fluctuating and uncertain that I do not see how we can do any business at an English Island. therefore if you tarry any longer there you must settle your affairs at Antigua and go to whatever foreign Island you think fit, and as soon as I know where you reside, I will send you produce either my own or the publicks

Price Current:

all kinds of dry goods is very high such as you took a Memorandum of is all much wanted and the price very high.

The news is that L. [Lord] Dunmore and all the forces he could collect is driven on board of His Ships. it is said that he has burnt Norfolk but not confirmed. our whole Continent is Arming both by Sea and Land. Next Summer the whole Coast will be lined with our Armed Vessels. All the Ship Carpenters is now employed in altering old Vessels and building new ones, a great Number is already at Sea, and it is expected if we have not peace before Spring, that the Congress will make a formal Declaration of War and Commission their Ships to Seize all British Property. We have reason to think that Carlton with all Canada is Taken. it is also expected that Boston is demolished by this time. the Provincials carries all before them. The only loss yet sustained worth mentioning is one Capt. Martindall in one of our privateers with 80 Men taken by a Man of War. him and his Crew sent to England. ² ー Shall write you the morrow by Captain Vanbebor. your friends and acquaintances here are all well. I am your Affect. father

P Capt Burk

W^m Spear.

[Endorsed] (a Copy) Jam^s Young.

[Second endorsement] Copies of intercepted Letters Containing Intelligence of the proceedings and Designs of the North American Rebels.