[Extract]

Dear Sir To regulate the trade of the United Colonies, being a field of vast extent, far exceeds my present comprehension; & 'tis not likely I shall ever fully investigate that complicated System of Regulation, which will best Serve the trade of these Colonies; however, I will venture to Suggest to you several reasons which incline me to favour the following Regulation, which respects the importation of foreign Articles. I wou'd first premise, that I apprehend it necessary that we shou'd have a good Sumptuary Law, well adapted to our circumstances: This being supposed, I think we Shall be best able to guard against some breaches of this Law, by being our own Carriers; & by having all imports in our own Bottoms, we Shall have all the advantages of Supplying & carrying; this will also encourage Ship-building, & will be an effectual Nursery for Seamen; & will also prevent other Nations obtaining Such knowledge of our Ports, as may, in Some future time, enable them to improve it to our damage, as our unnatural enemies have lately done. When this matter is contemplated, I shou'd be very fond, for the reasons mentioned, to Secure this point, even at a great expence (if necessary) in Some other way. For as we don't want any Imports, as necessary to Life; & as our Exports of the Provision kind will be large, I think we may, in treaty, fairly claim the proposed Article. I have no time, but only at the Board, where many interruptions necessarily take place; if I shou'd have oppo, will write more fully.

... We now see that our enemies are determined to push with all their might early in the Spring; how necessary it is then that we take effectual measures for reduceing both Que[bec] & Bos[ton] before the Spring arrives. But this is not all; may we not also attempt to divert the Storm? If the United [Colonies] shou'd declare for independence, & offer their Trade, in some general way, until treaty shall settle particulars, to Somebody else; wd not our Enemies find themselves immediately involved in a War with that Somebody ? & wd not that involvment break the Storm, in some degree, for the present ? and can anybody accept such Trade without such involvemt ? And if these things must be done at all, prudence says that they must be done soon, without any delay, & that a better form of Governmt, at least a more compleat one, is necessary for expedition. ー