Esteem'd Friends Reynell & Coates

My last to you, was of the 6th Ultimo, since which I remain without any of your much esteem'd, tho' in hourly Expectation of hearing from you, that Capt [William] Willcomb is arriv'd, I am now sensible that your Markett, must be extream dull for his Cargoe, therefore hope you have stored it for a Price, & sold the Brig, but if this should meet the Brig at Philadelphia, & the Cargoe not sold, I think it would be prudent, to reship her Cargoe for Newfoundland & fill her up with Bread & from thence proceed to the West Indies with a Load of Fish, or to Spain, if that sort of fish [co]uld be obtain'd, there; & should she proceed thither, ord[er the] Master to value himself on Mr. Robt Jenkins at St Johns, & take his Advice in what Manner its best to proceed from thence; & should she return to you, again I must beg you will keep her employ'd & give such Directions to the Master as you may think necessary ー² The Times here grow worse every Day, & what will be the Event, Time only can discover, we certainly are in a most unhappy Situation, & little prospect of any Relief I have a Brig now at home, with a Cargoe of Molasses which I am now selling here at 20d your Currency, & am about Loading her again for the West Indies for another Load of Molasses, but how she will make out, cannot say  when she is ready to Return, if your Port is open she may return thither, but more of [this next] Time, I have only now to say that I am Your Friend