Dear Sir

Before this reaches you, you will probably have seen your old acquaintance Mr Edwd Browne who sail'd for Virga in Jany last.

The Prospect Capt Norwood now goes out to load for me in York River, & if yr other ingagements do not prevent it, I wd beg leave to solicit yr kind assistance. I know it is in your power to do me much service, which you maybe sure I shall always gratefully acknowledge. Your orders being conveyed in time either to Caps Norwood or Outram will be properly attended to. I have been so perfectly fatigued with helping to prepare & presentg the London Merchts several petitions respecting the American Affairs that I am almost worn out in constant service night & day ever since the 4th of Jany ー Our applications have been treated as in great measure they deserved, because the Ministry know well enough, the Merchts, except 2 or 3 of us, were not at all serious; hence it is, that our petitions are almost all, but the last to the H. of Lords, little else than Milk & Water, The Glasgow Merchts played the same game but with less trouble, they sent a strong petition to the H. of C[ommons] in favour of America, but at the same time gave Ld North to understand, by their member Ld F[rederick] Campbell, that they did not mean any opposition, but to gain credit in America & thereby more easily collect their debts ー This is currently reported here but I cannot vouch it for fact therefore only mention it as a report. However it is certain that since the petition we have heard nothing more from Glasgw

You have fully the ministerial system of Tyranny plan'd for you ー No one here can so well point out the best plan of opposition as you can yourselves, but oppose you will at all hazards I firmly hope & believe.

I am Dr Sir [&c.]

P the Prospect
Capt Norwood