Extract of a Letter from M^r. Arthur Cayley to M^r Walter Shairp dated Archangel 10^th. August 1778—

Inclosed I hand you a Copy of a Letter received from Captain Richards giving an Account of the Havock made among the English Ships, & I fear many more will share the same fate; as I hear the Privateer¹ still hovers on the Coast; she mounts 20 Guns, 10 Swivels, has 150 Men, & Cruizes between the North Cape and Wardhouse.² As the Trade between this Place & England is very considerable, could not you, my worthy Friend, obtain a Convoy to come here next Year, with the Ships as is done in other parts of Russia, or must it be petitioned for by the Russia Company in London.³ I pray you will write to London on this Subject, for without some protection is granted, I fear few English Ships will come here next year; we have already had thirty three English Ships & many more expected.⁴ The Trade of this Place is Principally in Tar, part of which is bought for Government account.