(Copy)
Sirs

I had the Honor of receiving Your's by Express sent by Cap^t. James Willing the 4^th. Ins^t., dated the 21^st. Nov^r., covering Copies of a Letter from the Secret Committee of the 12^th. June, as also of Your's 24^th. October. The whole of which I have perused, and take this Opportunity of returning You my sincere thanks, for the Honor you have done me in placing Your Confidence in me as Your Publick Agent in this Part of the World. And You may depend there is nothing in my power but shall be done to perform my Duty in that Station. I have delivered Your Letters to the G— [Governor], and am now geting them translated properly, but as this Vessell is just going off, I have read them over & Communicated the Contents to him, which he is well pleased with, and still disposed to serve You, therefore rest assured every thing You desire shall be put in Execution immediately. I have now proper hands upon the look out for Goods & Boats, but you have omitted inclosing the List for the former, & for this I must be governed by Cap^t. Willing who I expect in a Day or two. I have the pleasure of inclosing You Copy of the Capitulation the chief of the Inhabitants made with him at the Natchez,¹ and since this, Lieu^t. M^c.Intyre has taken a Ship mounting 16 Guns, at Manchack;² as also several Boats with Indigo & Peltries & Negroes, which are arrived here, & which I have got the Go-s leave to dispose of—

M^cIntyre has also taken a Brig^t. below, loaded with Lumber for Jamaica.³ I cannot now possibly give you an exact Account of The Prizes, as they are not yet unloaded, and some not yet arrived; but I believe upon the whole they are considerable, and be assured I shall make the most of them for Your Interest.

With respect to the Bills you got from Mess^rs. Willing Morris & C^o., I have now wrote their R[obert] M[orris], and furnished him with the Acco^ts., by which he will find I have reduced the Balance largely by Remittances to France & Cape Francais, but this shall not prevent your being supplyed with what You call for, as the G. . . . has promised to assist me with some Cash tho' he has not as yet received any orders for so doing; the Remainder 1 shall make up out of the Prizes, & my own Stock & Credit shall be immediately employed. I do not know yet whether I can get the Boats dispatched under Spanish Passports, or not. If I cannot get this done, I will have them Manned & Armed as you order, as in all Probablility they will be attacked by a Party of White Men & Indians they may send from Pensacola, but we shall be provided to receive them, as I am now engaging a parcel of resolute Batteau Men well attached to the Cause, and shall make all the Expedition possible. Pickles's Brig^t is here,⁴ but I am affraid it will not answer to send anything by Sea, as I expect a Frigate round from Pensacola every moment, which will search all Vessells outward bound, but this I shall determine on, & consult with the Gov— about, and do the best for Your Interest. I am happy to find you have been so successful in this last Campaign, and hope you have obliged Howe to surrender before now, or leave the City of Philadelphia, After this is done I think it will be highly necessary, to establish Forts on the Mississippi, with a proper force to support your Trade up the River, otherwise you cannot expect Boats to go back & foreward unmolested after this Expedition. I observe the Carriage of Your Flour comes high, but notwithstand^g this, if once a proper Trade is fixed, & that you are sure of its coming safe, and geting the necessary Returns as you want them, this inconveniency or extraordinary Expence, must be put up with during the present times, as You cannot depend on any Supplies you order by Sea. Flour is now worth 12 Dollars ⅌ 200^Ib., and I can dispose of very large quantities at this price, and the sooner in my opinion you fix Your Correspondance in France (so as to order all the Light Goods you want this Way) the better. Even Liquids, such as Claret, Taffia & Rum, may be sent up on very good Terms. This being the needful1 till I get the Batteaus dispatch'd, by which I shall write you fully; Permit me to have the Honor of assuring You Sirs, to be with the greatest Respect & well wishes for your Safety.—Yours &^ca.