[Extract]
Dear Sir

I must ask your pardon for my long Silence pressure of Business occassioned it, and not a want of friends[hip] the Congress having imediate Occassion for a Brig I employ'd the one I wrote you about in their service, I fitted a second out and sent her for Baltimore, but she was Stop'd on her way by the Unicorn it wou'd give me pleasure if I could serve you by an enquiery [of] the harlequin's prize,² but I am utterly a stranger to the people [of] that state, and 'its not in my power to serve you, if in fu[ture] any prizes should get in here I will have an eye to them . . .

You ask what Commissions I charge. I have not yet forwarded any of my Accots to Congress, But I charge 2½ PCt on the Gross Sale I suppose it will be allow'd, I don't expect of the Agency from the Captors my Business is so great I can't attend it ー