Dearest sirー

As soon as your much esteemed favour 16th Decr came to hand, we began to Consider about the method of complying with your orders, in case of your further desire, & Altho' of a very difficulty nature, we were determind at all events to assist you accordingly, we found out means to procure as many Musketts & pistols as were ready made on the parts for the Kings Army, the quantity was but small having only 300 Muskets & Bayonetts, & about double the number of Pair of Pistols ready, but we should have done our utmost to get as many more as was to be found in order to serve you, & shall whenever you shou'd command; but must observe to you that such an Order ought to come some Months before, for all Arms on this side are made on the King's Account, & it is a rareity to find them ready made, besides which they must be got, with a good deal of Caution & Ship on the very same manner; as to secrecy you may depend it is as much our Interest as any ones as the English Embassader will look sharp in every port, & we are upon very good footing with my Lord Grantham²  Should be very Sorry he should know it ー The Powder is an Article which we cannot ship unless we have timely advice, for whatever there is made in this Kingdom is for the Government, it is our opinion that Should any of your vessels be taken in the Channel loaded with those articles, she should certainly be condemned, however by having timely advise we can bring them from Holland on Reasonable Terms & ship them as you desire. We see with the utmost concern the difficulties You labour under by an unpolitical Minister's wrong direction of Affairs, But hope the Present Parliament will look into them with clearer light, & will find proper means to accomodate Matters, without going any further, allowing you your just Rights & Libertys, which we do assure you long to see it settled with all our hearts but should it be otherwise (which God forbid) command freely and you will find us at your service, we doubted not but you would be made a member of the Congress as we well know the real great Character you bear among all that know you, therefore wish you most heartily all success in every undertaking and that you may communicate us some agreeable news. We hourly look out for the London Post, should it bring any thing Worth yr notice ー you may depend on being advised by Dr sr [&c.]

We should have said above that Corbitt delivered us your esteemd 23d Decr