[Extract]

I am sorry to tell you the Continent is not now so well furnished with powder as I expected  much less ー I wish and Intreat you if there's any way of getting powder & Saltpetre into your place ー that you lay a Scheme for it before it is quite too late  I imagine that powder may be got from the Cape ー or any of the foreign Islands or ports notwithstanding the contrary promises of the French and Dutch. Sulphur is wanted in but small proportions and by what I learn enough may be had