[Extract]

Dear Sir  I hope this will meet you safely arrived at the Grand Scene of Action, where you will have a most important part to act.² The conduct of the Yorkers seems to have given the Ministry hopes of effecting a Division in the Councils of America, imagining that a Majority of the Assembly speak the sense of the people, from some late proceedings in the House of Commons it would appear that Administration would gladly make a drawn Battle of it could they get an opening at which they might with decency creep out, without incurring the imputation of acting inconsistently but this I am afraid will be impossible while the people of America are so much and so justly irritated, unless the Congress, without giving up essentials, could by appearing to concede bring about a Negotiation, it is to be hoped the present Wound might be closed at least for some time, and it is obvious of how great importance it is to gain time, as the rapid increase of inhabitants in America will for some years exceed all Calculation and will enable us in the Course of a few years to ask with a better Grace than at present greater immunities than are at this time thought of by the most sanguine of our friends.

We have been alarmed with an Account of an Engagement between a Detachment of 1200 of G. [Thomas] Gage's Troops and a body of the N. England Militia, but I suspend my belief till further accounts to confirm it.³

Old Barter is just arrived from Pool and has imported some merchandize I have not heard what, the Committee were sitting this afternoon deliberating what steps were to be taken with him,⁴ I have not heard their determination, I suppose Bob Smith will inform you he is among them.

I would wish to know by the earliest oppertunity whether any probable plan is thought of among the Merchants for procuring an importation of Goods this Fall or whether any possibility of giving such conditional orders as can with safety be executed, you know my reason for desiring this information and hope you will not refuse giving me your sentiments on the subject. . . . pray let me hear from you what is doing and what is expected to be done, and believe me always Dear Sr [&c.]