Sir!

We have recd the Letter that you did Us the Honor to Write the 22d Decr & we Shod have answer'd it the Moment of its Reception; If Mr Cook [Nicholas Cooke, Jr.] had deliver'd it before he left Phila

We have terminated our Business with the Congress. Our Contract is passed with the Secret Committee & Mr Penet depar[ts] to day for France, Where he goes on Business for the  Cont[in]ent. It is not Possible to Reconcile this Treaty with Yours Because our Contract is of a Particular Nature, & our Campai[gn] will not Permit of Communication, for the Object is very Impor[tant] & which exacts the most delicate Measures. ー

But Sir! we have determin'd to Settle in this City of Phila the Center of our Commerce & we Should be Happy on this Account to Open Business with Your House. ー We Shall have here in our Stores all the Articles from France of which the Continent will have Need. ー We will address you either directly from France or Phila Merchandize for your Town & its Neighbourhood. You will make Sale of them on our Accot & We will allow You the Customary Commission & Shall take other Articles which may Suit You, agreable to the offer, that You made Usin Your Letter. ー

It would Suit Us to Load on our Accot by the first Ship that You Should send to St Eustatia 300 Boxes of Sp. Ceti Candles of a Good Quality & well Condition'd: each Box to Weigh from 25 to 30 lb & 35 lb. You will have the Kindness to address them to Messrs Menard, la Combe & Theare, Merchts in St Eustatia, Tis One of the First Houses & who do the Most Business & will Inform Your Captains ofCorrespondents at Martinico & the other Windward Island. ー

We desire you to Join in this Letter that we Shall Send him an Invoice of the Price of the said Boxes, Upon which you will add the Freight which will be Paid You by these Gentlemen as may Judge needfull.

If there are means to make Insurance on the Merchandize at A Reasonable Price; we desire You to do it, As for Yourselves & in Case the Insurance is too high; we will Run the Risque. As to the Payment, You may draw for the Value that we shall Prise You; a Bill of Excha at three months Credit as we will Pay at its Expiration: The Business that we have just Undertook, will not Permit Us to give You the Money 'till the delay of three Months. ー

Dont Omit giving Us advice of the day of the Departure of the Merchandize & inclose in our Letter a Double Invoice that you Shall address to St Eustatia.

If you Send Ships into France, you may address them to Havre or to Nantes according to the address here Joined. Your Loading will be in such manner as you Shall order wether in Amunition or other Mercha: You may rely on the Activity of our Houses & be assured that No One Can procure You the Same Advantages As We. ー

We desire You to take Notice of the Signing of Our House & Remember that it is this Undemeath

We have the Honour to be Yours &c

[Endorsed] Translation of a Letter from Monsr P. Penet & Co at Phia ー