Addressed: Henry Laurens Esqr Ansonburgh
Sir ー I have reced your favour of this day ー If I recollect the Tenour of the Agreement with Mr Somersal right, it is this, that, he was to return Ammunition or Arms for the Rice shipt by him, for which he was to be allow'd 100 per Cent. profit on the first purchase, taking all charges & Risques on himself ー Captn Caton, Captn Buckle & Mr Dorcius agreed to return Gunpowder at 18/.P. lb, ー I never understood that Mr Somersal was in the least concern'd in any of the Bargains with those Gentlemen.
None of these Contracts were Complied with during the Continuance of the secret Committee that I know of. I am Sir [&c.]
[Charleston] 24th Jany 1776.
[Endorsed by Laurens] "please to look on the Inclosed papers & return them with this ー "
[Reply in a different hand] "I did not remember that Mr Somersal had more than one Adventure ー Neither of the Contracts have been complied with during the Continuance of the Secret Committee, that I know of ー Mr [William Henry] Drayton made the first agreemt to whom I refer for any intelligence more than this ー "
