Dear Sir!
Inclosed you have Acct Sales for yr 10 hhds of Tobo recd P Friendp Roman nt proceds £80.14.10 to yr credt, also sales for 2 hhds recd P same conveyance belonging to the Estate of Mrs Cath. Monroe nt £8.6.2 to the credt of said Esta. I do not fear these sales giving full satisfaction when compared with those from other houses. With confidence I say your own are good ー the Esta Tobo was uncommonly light & of very indiffert quality.
Having sent out 2 large Ships this year I shall suffer much unless my friends exert themselves a good deal, but from yr. steady kindness I have good reason to expect every assistance, which will always be gratefully acknowledged. Within this month past Tobo has risen considerably here, so that the Shiprs will send their Tobo to a good markt & that which comes home latest will probably sell best. You must know by this time that our wicked ministers are gone quite mad. Is it possible that the Americans can bear with patience such repeated & wanton insults & oppressions? every complaint instead of being redressed, produces a fresh grievance & injury. The Magazines &c will shew you the Petitions &c of the Merchts &c & the London Remonstrance on American grievances. The K[ing] & his Ministers have publicly proclaimed you Rebels ー Every body knows what Rebels have alone to trust to. ー The Ld Mayor very justly observed that a successful Rebellion was always called a Revolution & from his confidence in the Virtue & Fortitude of the Americans, he was not at a loss to determine what that wou'd be hereafter called, which the Ministers were now pleased to term Rebellion. I cannot suppose that any dangers will deter you from persevering to the last extremity in defence of yr Liberty & with unanimity you must succeed. The Ministers have sent such violent orders to Genl [Thomas] Gage that we every day expect advice of a genl engagement in Massachusetts Bay. The Scotch Gentn have got advice of the proceedings of yr last Congress at Richmond; one of your flattering resolutions to his Excellency, is very different from what we have been taught to expect, as the Ministerial runners in the City had abt 10 daies ago reported that Governmt had recd advice of a plan deliberately settled in Virga to seize the Governors person & all the K[ing]s officers, & keep them as hostages for the safety of such Americans as Genl Gage has certainly recd orders to take up & send over for tryal. The Eyes of all Europe are upon America & the Ministers attend much to the motions in Virga for they seem to think you will fight; wch they have been taught to believe the N.E. people will not do. Indeed the conduct of Virga & New Engld will decide this business, but success will be more easy & certain if all the Colonies are united. Wonderful preparations are makg in France & Spain; with the latter we shall certainly come to an open Rupture, very soon after a blow is struck in America. In the mean time I pray you to assist my ships in their loadg as much as you possibly can. Best respects attend Mrs Kenner & am &ー
