My dear Sir!

I am greatly obliged by yr sevl favrs of Jany 30 Feby 13 Mar 7 & Aprl 13 ー The loss at Stratford is what we must all feel, especially at such times as these, when it would be indelible infamy to ask any favor of such wicked Ministers as rule this Country. A Spanish War is greatly talked of & in my opinion will take place as soon as a blow is struck in America ー will you think me prudent to insure yr 30 hhds of Tobo in Brown at ys [this] time or wait 'till the event is enevitable & then give twice or perhaps four times as much Prems  I will act for you as I do for myself & with this you must surely be content. You have inclosed Acct Sales for yr 32 hhds Tobo recd P the Friendship, Roman nt procds ー £224.3.11 to yr credt. These sales cannot displease you as on the whole they must be much better than what you will receive from any other quarter. ー You know my earnest willingness to serve you on all occasions & tho' I conceive these are dangerous times to make purchases, yet if my 2 Ships the Adventure & Prospect get loaded, I can so far assist you as £400 or £500 will go, provided you do not draw till the Octr Court, at 60 or 90 daies sight & use yr utmost endeavors to keep others from drawg. At the same time I shall expect you to be ansble for the Balce which G. Fauntleroy owes me with the Intst for which I now inclose you an order on him that shd pass in paymt for his land. Mr Norton has demanded paymt of the Underwriters here for the Tea that was destroyed out of his ship the Virga Capt Esten, you will therefore oblige me much by getting full & particular information respectg this business & send me a Certificate thereof as soon as possible. It was understood here that the Tea was destroyed with W: H. Nortons consent in order to appease the indignation that possessed the Gentlemen on Acct of the Tea being sent; But the Capts protest says it was done by the force & violence of a lawless & ungovernable people or words to the same effect. The best method will be to get a state of the whole proceedings signd by Mr Nelson Chairman of the York Committee ー The Ball of G. Fauntleroys acct wch you have inclosed with an order to pay the same to you for my use is £12.8.1 with Int thereon from May 20. 1773, till paid. I trust you will exert yrself to get my ships loaded this year. As to Politics you have been already informed & the papers inclosed will tell you what has been lately done in refusing to receive the New York Petition. Indeed nothing will do with our Ministers but fighting, so prepare for the worst. Give me all the intelligence you can & believe me always your most affecte &cー