Gentm

Inclosed you have Mr John Crocketts order on Saml Johnston Esqr for 1987 lb powder or the value thereof in money. The Congress for this Govermt may take the whole at Ten shillings pensilvania Cury p pound, or deliver as much powder to the Committee of Philadelphia or Baltimore for our acct ー This we think will not be considered high if the risk is fairly Calculated as it cost 10/ pr lb in the West Indies and little or no benefits can now arise from the privelege of Shipping the Value ー But if it shoud we wish to be allow'd no more than other private adventurers shall and have been allowed in the other Collonies ー we direct You to Dispose of it to the public only as it was imported for that purpose ー If you can procure Vessels or Charter at the rate of Ten pounds pr thousand freight to the West Indias we desire you to purchase White oak Staves & headings & ship the amount of the privelege as soon as you can and Consign the Same to Mr Saml Roddy who will soon be here in order to go out with the first Vessel to some of the French West India Islands ー If you find you cannot gett Vessels on these terms soon You will please apply the price of the powder One fifth to the order of Geo Kerr & Co Calepoint Virga .and the remainder as we May hereafter direct ー Be pleased to Address to us, Merchts in Baltimore & advise us from time to time of your proceedings. We are with due respect Gent [&c.] Jn^o Sterratt & Co