[Extract]
Gentlemen—

Our last was 11^th. February,² to which we refer, Since w^ch. we have your several favors, of 12^th. Novem^r: 26^th. Feb^y. & 16^th: March, in which you advise us, that the Penet³ proved bad, and was condemn'd, as unfit for repair, That you had purchased an other Vessell, which you was lading with a well assorted Cargo, and that she would soon Sail; Her not appearing at this date makes us fearful she has fallen into the Enemy's hands.—⁴

We are glad to hear of Cap^t. Chapman's Arrival,⁵ and hope soon to have the additional Pleasure of hearing that our two Ships, (the Gruel⁶ & the Union⁷) laden with Masts &c. are safe with you—The Ship Adams⁸ and Brig Favorite⁹ for S^o. Carolina and Nants saild in February last, The latter of which was Captur'd within an hours sail of Charlestown, the former we hope will be in Nants before this reaches you.— 

In yours of the 26^th. February, you observe That your advances for us have been so large, that the Balance in your favour will be 65,000 Livers, exclusive of the Cargo shipping by Cap^t. Harris—¹⁰ That there is such a Balance on your Books, we make no doubt, but how it should arise, we are at a loss to conceive, as upon the Strictest review of our Books, taking into the Account, the Moneys paid M^r: Pliarne, it appears that our remittances have considerably exceeded our importations, Altho we shall at all times do our utmost to discharge any Balance that may be against us, yet when we recollect our Contract made with your much lamented M^r: Pliarne,¹¹ we feel ourselves less anxious on that score, as the present Balance, however large, is but a small part of the advances there Stipulated.—

Our being unacquainted with the State of your Marketts, & totally in the dark, as to the sales of the several Vessells & Cargoes in your hands, may have led us into this supposed error. We are therefore to request, that in future, you would forward our accounts duely made up, each half year, by which method all misconceptions, or misapprehensions of the State of our affairs may be avoided.— 

Considering the difficultys &c disadvantages with which we are at present surrounded, depriv'd of our Staple & other Grand articles of Export, Maintaining an unequal contest with the most Potant & Formedable power in Europe, & but just emerging from Subordination & Vassalage, to Independence & Liberty, we flatter ourselves that we have done more than could have been reasonably expected.—You may be assured, that we shall be unremitted in our Exertions to render our Correspondance & Connections mutually beneficial, of which the present opening prospect, of a free & unembarras'd Commerce, gives us the most pleasing expectation.—. . . .