Gentlemen,
Your favours of the 9th 24th and 25 of July and August 1st & 15th are before us. ー It has been unlucky for this State as well as for you, that so many of our outward bound Vessells have miscarried ー we have been tolerabl luckey in our importations, having only lost the Adventures by Scott and Simmerton that we as yet hear of, Captain Luce is safe arrived in Deleware and we Daily expect to hear of the arrival of the rest of the Powder you advise us, that you have and are about to Ship. ー We are very solicitous to Charter or buy Vessells to Load out to your address as we want a large sum of Money in your hands for the Purchase of Salt, Arms, Course Cloathes, Blankets and Lead but we fear that we shall be disappointed in procuring as many as we want ー you will therefore if possible Charter or buy Vessells with you and Load them in with Salt as far as thirty thousand Bushels and Draw Bills upon us or upon Messrs Willing Morris and Company at Philadelphia and you may depend upon their being duly honoured. Next to Salt we want a large quantity of Course Cloths, Blankets, Sail Duck light as well as heavy, Lead and Muskets. ー We do not restrict you in price ー but leave it to you to do the best you can for the State of Maryland ー and your Bills for the whole or any part thereof will be paid.
P.S. Your Bill on T. Johnson Esqr Will be duely honoured ー We are &c:
[Annapolis] September 12th 1776.
