Duplicate/No 38.
My Lord In Letter No 18. private of 18th December 74 [sic 1775], I had the honour to mention to Your Lordship, that I had appointed Mr [William] Panton to manage the Indian Trade. I beg leave now my Lord to enclose the Copy of a Letter I received from Mr Panton lately. He informs of his difficulties. The disappointment to me is very great, as its absolutely requisite, a Trade should be supported in those Provinces, which have not been wrested from the British Empire. I hope Your Lordship will think it a right Measure, and be pleased to give Directions that Orders may be sent to Messrs Greenwood and Higginson to ship for Mr Panton such Indian Supplies as he may require and to be forwarded to St Augustine to my order, to be deposited in His Majesty's Magazine for Mr Panton, for the Sole purpose of carrying on a Trade with the Indians. When these supplies are sent, I hope the Ship they are in will take the Opportunity of sailing under convoy of some of His Majesty's Ships that may be coming for America at the same time. If this My Lord be approved of, I hope there will not be any Delay as we are truly distressed for want of supplies for the Indians there having been lately so much Occasion for them.
I have the honour to be with the greatest respect, My Lord [&c.]
St Augustine 16. Febry 76
[Endorsed] St Augustine 16th Feby 1776. Governor Tonyn. (No 38) R/22d August. (Dup ー origl not reced.) (1 Inclosure.) Entd
