(Dupla.)
St: pierre M/Que1 July 15th: 1778.—
Original ⅌ Capt Samuel Chace
Junr.
Sir!
We are favoured with yours of the 25th: May.—
You will perceive by the enclosed Accot current, that the Balla. in our favour is considerably encreased. — As it was intirely unexpected to us to be so largely in advance for our friends in America, we had constantly shipt on our Accot: as much as our Capital would possibly admit of, & have never received any part of it back again.—
Besides this Balla. there is not a private arm’d vessel (except the Cumberland)2 belonging to the State which has been in this Island, but what we are in advance for & for some of them to a very Considerable Amt.— From a consideration of those Circumstances, together with our very small Capital, you will readily conceive in what an unhappy Situation we are now in. —
It has ever given us infinite pleasure that, altho' absent from our Country, Circumstances have afforded us an Opportunity of contributing our mite, towards the Support of the real friends of it.— At the same time we flatter ourselves that you & our other good friends will be sufficiently convinced, by the proofs we have given of it by sacrificing our Capital, at a moment when it might have Employed to so much advantage &c will prevent us from feeling the Disagreeable Consequences, which must very shortly attend the Delay of payment of some of the considerable Debts we have contracted on their accot: in this Island.— However as WH:3 is arrived with you, we are Satisfied that from his Representations of facts, you have long since found means of remitting us.— As finding that it was impossible to comply with our Engagements we were favoured so far as to have three months granted us for W:H: to go to America, to represent our Situation and to procure us relief.— The third month since his Departure is now nearly Elapsed & we have not been so fortunate as to receive any thing. It is useless to Enlarge on the Subject, but refer you to our W:H: —
By an Act lately passed, this Island is Declared to Enjoy a free trade with all nations, with Liberty to Export all kinds of produce.— This Act will be in force the 25th: Instant. —
The Enormous duties on fish & molasses which so greatly affected the Commerce between this Island, & the Northern States are now taken off. —
Fish is in great Demand at 55 Ls. ⅌ Quintal. —
Molasses plenty at 20 sols ⅌ Galln. & probably under. —
We are with respect Sir! [&c.]