Gentn

Philadelphia Mar. 1, 1776 -

We wrote you on the 9th Decr and have now reced your favors of the 1st Septr & Copys of the 14th & 25 of October Thanking you for your advices of which however at this time we can make very little use as you will well know by the late Acts [of] Parliament &ca We know nothing of the Ship Lord Chatham, but what is Mentione'd in Yours of the 14th Octr Sorry we shou'd be indeed to see any ship come here now & Doubtless she has been Stopp'd, by the Prospect of what was Likely to happen in this part of the World. We are too much Engaged to Answer the Political part of your Letters, therefore at present it must suffice to assure you that Independancy never was the View of America in the Present contest, nay even now they start at the Idea, altho it appears evident they will be Forced into such a Declaration. We thank you for the Letters & Assistance you gave Capt Vanhorne whom we are expecting & wish to see here again, he Judged Ill in Sending [Captain] Lott to London, we wish he had either sent her back here, or sold her for that she would Fatch, for we expect the Value of the Vessel will be Sunk in charges & Expences, under the Extravagant Mr Lott.2 We duly note all Articles of Account & shall be glad in due time to receive final Acct Currt You may find Conveyance of writing to us Via France &ca but the Passage will now be very unsafe for any Ships We are Sirs [&c.]

PS If you can render any assantial Service, to Mr Benj Gibbs, Owner of the Ship Aurora, we beg you will do it, he's a worthy Deserving Man -

[Endorsed] (a Copy) Thomas Rich
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