My dear Father

....there is an amazing quantity of goods brought in to N^o Carolina, and that Virg^a. & Maryland are supplied from that quarter.

If Lord Howe would only grant Letters of Marque to the Merch^ts of this Town. I am convinced much good would follow from the measure—the Rebell Army have received every Necessarry in that round about way, and the insignificance of the place (Oacrecock) prevented Lord Howe from Sending Vessels to cruize there—whatever it might be formerly—all the Tobb^a of James River in Virginia is Shippd from it now, and if they were prevented from having any kind of Trade—the good effects would soon be seen—Some Gentⁿ of Virg^a & Carolina applied to Lord Howe to send Vessels there. explained to him the Service they would render Gov^t: as well as the proffit that would Arrise to themselves—his Lordships words were "Will you never give these poor people an opportunity of coming in [ "]—If such measures are to bring them in farwell America it will never be my Country

I hope your Gov^t on the other side of the Water will think diffrently from his Lordship, and give every encouragment to the Mercantile Intrest to fit out Strong Vessels to cut of the Trade of the Southern Collonies, and if it is not the intention of Government to carry on the Warr in New England—I do think evry Town upon its Coast should be levell' with the ground, particularly Boston—desprate distempers requires desprate Cures—there is cruelty in destroying the property of your friends—but every Man who has anything at Stake and who is the friend of the King would cheerfully make the Sacrifice, and help to Burn his house rather than this Country should become independent—Those very towns are now gnawing the very vitals of the Nation, they are fitting out very respectable privateers and supplying their Army at our Expence, with the Cargoes of Vessells they make prizes of—Depend upon it the utmost exertions must be used but of their resources—let them have no Trade to the Southward, and no Privateers to the Northward—and send men who can plan and execute, and all will yet be well. . . .