[Extract]
Gentⁿ

...The open Protection & Assistance which the American Privateers & their Prizes receive in the Ports of this Island, joined to the new Arrangement which I had the honor of mentioning to you in my last,¹ have given Rise to Some spirited Letters betwixt our General² & the Governor of Antigua;³—the latter, in an illiberal & ungentlemanly manner, accuses the former of the most selfish & interested Conduct & alledges that he has certain proof of his receiving 15 ⅌ % to his own Emolument on the sales of all Prizes sold in the Island; & impotently threatens him with the Resentment that may arise in the Breast of his Britannic Majesty, when this affair is properly represented:—

I come now to address you Gentlemen on another Subject which to me is of very Serious Importance;—During my Residence here, I have been under the Necessity of making some considerable Advances on Account of the Congress, & have entered into Engagements for them far beyond my Abilities to fulfill.

I have daily expected Remittances from the Continent, & have been daily disappointed—My sinking Credit & embarassed Situation have become a Subject of Mirth in all the W India Gazettes, & are Circumstances, which in this place tend greatly to derogate from the Respect due to the Appointment with which you have been pleased to honor me.

I would take the liberty of drawing upon the Commissioners at Paris, if I thought it would meet with either yours, or their Approbation;—I have done myself the honor of writing you on this subject but have received no Answer.—So that I remain in a state of Perplexity, Uneasiness, & Suspense, & which your indulging me with this Liberty, will alone relieve me from—

I have the honor to be with great Respect Gentⁿ [&c.]