last Evening the Secret Committee met, Signed the Contract &c which I shall Enclose to you, they have likewise Drawn an order for the money, which order I have taken and have given my Recept that I have Recd it for you, but how to Conduct the affair I know not, whether the treasurers, if I should Desire it, will be willing to Deliver me the money as I have no order from you to Receive it I know not and if I Should Receive it without order, and Send it Down & any mishap befall it, I may bring my Self into Difficulty, without any prospect of advantage, How or when I shall have a Safe opertunity to send Down So large a sum as 30,000 Dollars I know not; the man that Mr [John] Hancock Expected is not Come and when he Does I am uncertain whither he will be willing to take Charge of it, I Could wish you had given some more particular orders about the money as I am puzzeled how to Conduct for the best. I shall write you again in a few Days....

I Believe it is Certain the British parliament, has ordered all american vessels to be Seized, as you will See by the publick papers, two of the outward bound vessels fitted out by the Secret Committee, for the purpose of necessaries, are taken and Carried into the west Indies, the master of one has got back.
² In short we have nothing to Expect from Brittain, but war & Bloodshed, notwithstanding the pretence of sending Comissioners here to treat.

I am this Day informed that a petition to the Congress, is Signing fast by the Inhabitants of this City, for Leave to fit out privateers, and make reprisals on all Brittish vessels, to indemnify them for the Losses they have Sustained by the Depredations of Brittish men of war.
³ Indeed it seems very hard that Brittain is Seizing all american vessels and the americans are not permitted to return the Compliment the late measures has I think (Sub rosa) much altered the minds of the people here and in the C[ongre]ss too. Give my Compliments to all Enquiring friends, & believe me [&c.]

P S by the latest account it seems the parliament has altered their measure of treating, and the Comisrs are to treat with Each Colony Seperate, which will Certainly, and unfailingly, Destroy the whole, for I am Sure no Colony will, at this time, treat Seperately; I think I may venture to Engage for New hampshire.

J: B:

The Invoice of the goods you are to procure with your Contract and the we[i]ght of anchors &c I shall send in my next