Dear Sir!
The Adventure Capt Brown is arriv'd & brot me yr very obliging favr of June 1st wth 100 hhds of yr Tobo wch. I before wrote you via Phila were insured according to yr orders. You may be assured of my best endeavors to return you satisfactory Sales, but the situation of things here is so perplexed & alarming that it is impossible to judge with precision whether it will be best to sell now or wait the Winter market; for my own part I am well inclined to think the prices are now as high as they will be for 6 Mos to come & if the event of parliamty interposition wch you apprehend, & not with out reason, shd interfere things will not mend. When we consider the great loss of weight, especially when Tobo is landed at this season of the year it is perhaps most advantageous to sell as soon as possible, however as I am fortunately not in distress for money, you may rely on my acting as appears to me most beneficial for you. The present prices, tho' no great demand, are for export 3¼ to 4 P lb for the best stout, wavy & black Jas River Tobo The home consumption price not better, unless for the finest York river & clean good stemd Tobo It is clear to me that the American trade to G.B. can never be restored to its former channel. I have more at stake in this business than most people, however the love I have for my Country, as well as an ardent affection for universal Liberty makes me submit with patience to the decrees of Providence which I am convinced over rules in this unhappy contest between G.B. & the Colonies; ー therefore am sure, as Justice is the most amiable attribute of an almighty direction, that you must in the end be successful. ー We have only the Ministl Act of the Bloody engagemt on the 17 June at Charles Town near Boston, wch from thence appears greatly to the disadvantage of the Regulars. The Ministers still have no thought of relentg & fresh supplies of Arms & Ammunition are preparing to be sent to Boston ー All I can say is, Quen Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ー America must now be a great Empire or a sink for Slaves ー Mrs. Lee & my Br are much obliged by yr kind Remembrance & I am &cー