Sir
From the Little acquintance I had with you in Trade when here a few Years Ago, I now Imbrace this Oppotunity to Address You In this Manner. As Capt Dovall [Douville] Informs Me You have a Vessel at St Peters2 where you Dwell, I have to propose to You to take of you a Load of Good Merchtb Codfish Deliverd here any time between this and the first of March Next at 15/ L M, p Quentle [Quintal] Dollars at 6/ ー and Liver Oil will now fetch a Very grait Price ー Common Pins (calld Calking pins) is worth 10/ a Pack Course Linnen & Checks are worth 50 pt more than they Used to be ー and Good soldier Guns compleetly fitted with Iron or Steel Ramrods & Bayenets are worth 10 Dollars apiece, & pistles swords & Hangers in proportion ー But Above all that Most Wanting is Cannon & Pistle Powder Mr Dovall tells Me he thinks You Might be Able to pick up five Tons & bring here before March if so I would Warrant that you get half a Dollar p lb for every lb If Deliverd here by the first of March, provided you would let Me be One half Consern'd in the Powder, or if you Choose it I would be half Consern'd in the Whole Cargo, which should be bought on the Best Terms at St Peters & shiped onbord a Good Vessel yourself Master, That is to say One half on My Accot & Resque my part to be all Insur'd at St Peters ー There will be no grait Danger except the Seas, to Come, in the Winter As the English Men of War & Tenders will Doubtless be All in Winter Quarters before that Time.
And as they have two Priveteers out of Connecticutt & two from this Colony the Small Tenders keep in Close to the Men of War I dont beleave it would be Worth, or that it would Cost 10 pCt to Insure it from St Peters, Nor near so much to go to Stoningtown, New London, New haven, or Sag harbore on Long Isld at all which places you are well Acquainted & When Arrived at Sag Harbore it may be known whether safe to Come in here ー You Must know Sr the Grand Advantage would be in bringin the Powder, as the Grand Continental Congress, have Resolved to Allow All Vessels that bring powder into [this] Colony to take & carry away all kind of Provission to the full Amout of What just the Powder sells
