Gent

Our last respects to you were by Capt [John] Martin, who sailed from this port the 11th Currt with a valuable Cargoe ー since then your favours of the 12th Sept have come safe to hand p the Molly Capt [Thomas] Conway ー His Cargoe, tho' a very proper one, we are sorry to acquaint, has come to a most wretched Market ー 57/. p barrl for his Flour & 36/. for his Bread is the most we have been able to obtain, & his Tobacco is yet unsold. ー Since disposing of this Flour, a Cargoe of Philadelphia Superfine has been sold for 53/. This fall has been occasioned by the immense Quantities that have arrived & continue to arrive from France on a Supposition that it would be a scarce article here. ー We fear there will be no change for the better till towards themiddle of Winter & Spring when we imagine it will begin to advance again as in all probability the Exportations from France will cease when it is known how badly their Speculations must turn out. ー And plenty as Flour is, we know of nothing that can be sent from Maryland that will turn to a better Acot so surprizingly are we glutted with Tobacco & all kinds of provisionsー

We almost despair of supplying you with the large Quantities of Woolens & Salt that you want ー they are scarce & command ready Cash ー but we shall do our bestー

As Vessells with you are difficult to procure & Markets here very low, we fear you cannot easily remit us money sufficient for the extensive Engagements we have & are to enter into ー We would therefore beg leave to propose a Method which we think may be employ'd with more Success & facility than any other at present ー It is, if possible, to get a Boat or two out from S. Carolina with Indigo ー One Pilot Boat ballasted with that Article would yield more Money here than three or four Brigts with Flour & Tobo It is constantly worth from 6/a 12/. p lb according to Quality, & is the only Article of our Exports that can be shippd from hence to France, and the risk of getting it here will be trifling as it may be sent in such'small fast sailing Vessells.ー

A part of Capt Martin's Tobacco has been sold in Statia a 42/. p C[w]t & yesterday we shipped the remainder for that place.

We hope to dispatch Conway in 8 or 10 days with some Woolens, Muskets, Duck &ca & are &ca