Gentlemen

I have your favors 3 Oct & 25 Novr since I had the pleasure of writing you the 28 Decr

Wheat is now fixed at 7/ pr Bushel & if any alteration it will be for the better. Flour 17/ d 19/ ー Indian Corn 3/9. Messrs Hewes & Co wrote me that they expected a Cargo very soon from you, & I gave them our prices. I suppose I shall have her here, as the best American wheat sells there from 50/ to 51/ ー & our prices are equal to 56/. Mr Elliot writes me that the Hopewell is at last arrived in London witht touching at Falmouth, the Cargo in bad order tho' better than expected.

I find by the Lists that the Friendship Young is arrived at Maryland  I shall therefore be expecting to hear her Destination.

The duty being taken of Indian Corn will be an Advantage to you in the sale of the Hopewell's Cargo. I am glad that this first Service of Mr [Edmund] Burke to his friends here, should be of the first Advantage to your House

I hope the Bills you mention to draw on account of the Friendship if She comes here will not be at a short Sight, but you will take Care to make them agreable in that particular. I shall pay due Honour to them. Your Exchange is fallen amazingly.

I mentioned the prices of Wheat, but did not that the demand is briske, & a prospect of advance towards the Spring. We have had little or no frost, & remarkable mild weather. In general these Winters do not produce good Corn harvests in the succeeding Seasons.

The Ministry keep their resolves very secret about American affairs. London has petitioned, so has this place. Several Gentlemen were very active in promoting a petition here, though not without a good deal of opposition from the other party (for even party Spirit reigns tho' in a matter of Trade of such consequence.) Mr Burke's friends in particular have forwarded this Business, indeed that Gentleman the more he is known the more he must be admired. I send you by this Conveyance a Speech of his on the American Bills last Spring, a most masterly one indeed it must be so or it could not be Mr Burke's  The Ministry have acted a weak & a wicked part in their political System towards America which will be remembered long & heavily felt by both Countries. In any thing that occurs I shall write you for I truly am Gentlemen [&c.]