Owen Biddle, Esq'r:

Dr. Sir: — My last was the 5th this Instant Covering Invoice and Bill of Lading for sundries which I hope is safe arriv'd; this serves to inclose Invoice and Bill of Lading for sundries ship'd on board the Vessel of Warr Andrew Doria, John [sic Isaiah] Robinson, Esq'r, Commander, amt'g to £ 1,579 6 2 the Residue of the Bills of Exchg'e received, likewise acco't Cover ballance due you £ 0 6 3. I am sorry it was not in my power to ship the Goods according to order received as it is impossible to obtain them. I have wrote to several of the Neighboring Islands for the Woolens which was not to be had.

Some time agoe arrived here, Wm. Aull, from France, formerly of your place, with a large Cargoe of Goods among which was some Cloths. He sold the whole off at 15 p'r Ct. on the Invoice; and after he had bargained for them he found it was Considerably under the Value, he wou'd not let the person have them. I went to him for the Blue Cloth which cost about 2/10, and he ask'd me 18/ p'r yard for them. I looked at him with Amazement, but offer'd him 9/ for them but he wou'd not take it, and I come away. The next day he offer'd them for 12/ to take as many Brown as Blue, however I agreed with him for them at 10/.

This was the day before the Andrew Doria arriv'd, and after her arrival he was acquainted with her errand. I desir'd him to send me the Cloths and he return'd me for answer I cou'd not have them for that price, as he was offered more and to take proportion of white with them by Mr. S. [Samuel] Curwin, for the Continent, which I Inform'd I had purchased those Goods from Mr. Aull. But he did not like to give them up, and rather than Expose Aull, as he was a stranger here, I gave the matter up. He has made Mr. Curwin pay the most Extravagant prices for Goods I ever heard of, as there is no other than what he has at Markett, Owing to the Detention of the Vessells in Holland, there being a great Quantity of Goods Ship'd from thence for this Markett. The prices of American provisions still Keep down, Occasion'd by Vessells arriving daily. I am, Dr. Sir, [&c.]