[Extract]

I will repeat to you what I wrote ー The Sum of which was that I had anticipated the Scheme of Trade which you mentioned and had actually embarked in an Adventure by purchasing a large Sloop before I reced your Letter. If ever I am in favor with fortune it will be thro' the Interposition of Friends ー I have been happy enough to find those who were disposed to serve me in many Instances ー In the present, I have been so fortunate as to find that Disposition to befriend me not baulked by the want of Ability ー By the first Week in December I hope to have the pleasure of offering you the Refusal of 3000 Bushells of Salt besides some other trifling Articles. I shall then have some proposals to make with Respect to that Article, Rum, Sugar & dry Goods, that I hope will not be deemed disadvantageous to you.

My best Wishes attend Mrs Page and the little Rogues ー I anticipate very much the Happiness of seeing them again. Mrs Pollard's (Bedford) Compliments to you all ー I have a Letter from her for Mrs Page which I will deliver with my own Hands if I do not dine on board the Britisb Fleet before Christmas ー But, begging Lord Howe's pardon, I had rather dine in any Man's Kitchen in Virginia on that Day, than on the greatest Delicacies I might have the honor of tasting at his Lordship's Table on board the Eagle,

Ber[mud]a Octr 24th 1776.

P:S: Tell all my Countrymen who are with you that Lord Howe has sent the Tenders about this Island to the Devil ー They need not fear them now, as they have been all soldー