Sir. Mr [William] Spear shewed me a note which Mr Purviance brought him from The Council of Safety; Whereby its probable you may have occasion to see Capt Martin, therefore have given him orders to wait on the council of Safety with Mr Spears Captain, should you have occasion to employ the Brig Friendship Capt Martin back here with such returns as you may have ordered, I shall have no sort of objection, providing you insure her at one thousand pounds, this money, and allow a sufficient Freight for such goods as she may bring back; Tho Captain [William] Stone intended she shd bring some property of his lying in the West Indies invested, in salt rum &c. with her freight money out; The vessel is a prime sailor & has a Bermuda Register, & manned with negroes save the Capt & mate which may probabl[y] be a cloak for her against the late resolution of the Parliament to seize all American vessels, I am satisfied you cannot employ a vessel more fitting then, the Friendship, & sd you determine on this Capt Martin will take your orders respectg the Homeward voyage, & I shall be glad in such case that you Will please write me a few lines in conformity to the above proposal; as I am acting only as an Agent, for Capt Stone and am With all respect. Sir [&c.]
Balto 18th February 1776.
