Wilmington No Carolina ー 14th Septemr 1775
Sir
You are to make the best of your way with the Ship America of which you are Master to Bridgetown in Barbadoes, and deliver your Cargo to Messrs William and John Thomson & Co. Merchants there, these Gentlemen are requested to use their best Interest to procure a full Freight for the America from Barbadoes to Britain or Ireland, and to accept of such a Freight provided she can be loaded in two Months from her arrival ー should it be out of their power to get a Freight, they are to supply you with Cash Sufficient to buy a Cargo of 6 to 7000 Bushels Salt at the Island of Saltatudis, where you are to go for that purpose, furnishing yourself before you leave Barbadoes with all necessary information, that you may purchase the Salt at the cheapest rate, and get it on board in the least expensive manner, as it is probable the People you may have to deal with at Saltatudis are not over Scrupulous in making the most of Strangers, with the Cargo of Salt you are to proceed to this River Anchoring at Baldhead or any where below the Man of War until you are fully advised whether or not the Exportation is open to Britain. If the Port is open to export deliver your Cargo of Salt to Messrs William Thomson Imrie Dunn who are (with the direction and assistance of Mr Robert Gillies in Cross Creek) to load the America with a Cargo of Naval Stores &ca for Greenock. ー Should the Port be still shut when you arrive below, you are only to take on board what provisions and necessarys you may want, and proceed with the Cargo of Salt to Cork in Ireland calling at the House of Richard Hare Esq'. where you'll get James Gammell & Cos orders to discharge there or to proceed to another Port, and you'll remember to write them by every opportunity that offers during the voyage. ー Messrs William & John Thomson & Coy will supply you with Money to pay the Port-charges and other disbursements at Barbadoes. ー I have only to observe to you, that the Utmost dispatch caution and frugality is requisite on your part to make this Voyage turn out any way tolerable, and I am hopeful you'll not be wanting in this respect ー wishing you health and Success. ー I am [&c.]