[Extract]

Dear Father, What is England grown so weak, that she cant govern her oun Subjects without foreign Aid! Surely she must be despised by her Neighbours. You depend much on their countenance in subjecting us, but be assured you are deceived, Governmentally they probably won't interfere, but every supply which we stand in need of, they will cheerfully furnish underhand. Our Coast is so extensive, you cant totally guard it. This Week we got into our River, Fifty Tons of Salt Petre, which will make about 60 Ton of Powder. Parcells from 3 to 10 Ton are continually coming into the different Ports, The Price we have published is so extremely high, that it will force its way here from all parts of Europe...