[Extract]

This goes p Capt Amos Rider of the Schooner Brittania Chartered on your Acct for the Southern States. This Schooner I should have sent directly to Messrs Purveyance at Baltimore had I not been prevented by the Intelligence recd here by A Schooner from thence in a short passage. that Intelligence I gave you by Doct Roberts. it is Since Confirmed by a Vessel from Philadelphia. I am fully Convinced of the Impracticability of geting A Vessel to Baltimore: & have therefore sent her to Boston to receive such Orders as you may think proper to give. I believe the Carolinas are as little Infested with Pirates as any of the southern States. if you should think proper to order her there, the Master is an honest steady Man & equal to the disposition of the Cargo, & is well Acquainted. I have furnished every thing necessary for the Vo[yage] except one or two Inconsiderable Articles, & also paid the advance wages. the Vessel from Philadelphia had A long passage, when he came away the River was Open, & clear of Men of War but the return of them was Expected. flour was at 22/6 rum & sugar very high. . . .