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Sr We being about to Enter in to a Contract with the Congress Committee of Secr[e]cy to Import on Acot of the Cont[i]nent Sundry Articels as they May Enumerate to the Amount of Twenty Four Thousand Dollers and Neither of us being at phileda Makes it Necessary to Appoint a Friend to Sighne the Contract in our behalf and have Therefore Inclosed You our Genl & Special power of Attorney for that purpose, You'l please to Apply to the Honoble Saml Ward Esqr who is one of Sd Committe of Secr[e]cy & Acquaint him of your being Desired to Negotiate the Matter for us, & we now haveing a Good oppertunity to Send for the Mony by the Berrers Mr Nichs Cooke Junr & Mr Joseph Dolbear Russill Junr we Desire You'l Finnish the Contract with Mr Ward as Soone as You Can So that these Young Gentle[men] Mr Cooke & Mr Russill may Receive And bring all the Money to us Excepting Three Thousand Dollers which You'l please to keep in Your hands & Cr John Browns act with as he proposes Sending Capt Coffin (if he arrives safe) Immediately back to You with the Sloop he is now in, for another Load of Flour Iron &c This being the needfull we Rest [&c.]