Dear Robt

I am just arrived at this place, and by good information find every kind of goods immoderately dear, sugars three pounds.. Rum 6/9. to 7/. Cotton 3/4 ー Coffee 8½ all in Lawfull money, so that you will easily concieve that it will not answer for me to lay out any money on my own acct dry goods they tell me are in the same proportion.. but I am in hopes that they will fall somthing as a large Ship bound to Quebec with Clothing &ca was brought in a few days ago by Capt [Arthur] Crawford but is not yet condemned,² as the Ship belongs partly to the Governor. I shall to morrow morning wait upon him. and endeavor to make a purchase before hand upon the Invoice which if I can the goods will come much Cheaper as the merchants of this place make a point of out bidding strangers, and indeed the owners themselves bid, which is by no means customary any where else. I shall endeavor (if we cant purchase on the Invoice) to play them a like trickー

This evening I was informed that a Vessel belonging to the C. Congress³ has taken 8 Vessels which she has manned and sent home, And destroyed 5 more most of which are Ships. she took them in a Harber near the banks. it is I think very great news ー Capt Crawford has likewise taken two more prizes both sugar Ships the one a three Decker, the many Captures that are daily made convinces me that it is best to lay out our money in Privateers I wish you. Mr [William] Duer, and Mr [John] Jay would be concerned in one, a small Sloop now laying at Hartford. would be a very proper Vessel. Could you get Guns in our province, she would not I think cost above £2000 pounds, and she has the charecter of a fast sailer ー Mr [James A.] Stewart tells me I have made £800 pounds by the beaver Capt [Stewart] Deane;⁴ much more than I expected. which money Blair has recd and vested it in a ship mounting 28 Guns. as I have not seen him I dont know on what terms I am interested though I am not sorry for it as it is utterly impossible buying in a privateer here, Guns and other stores being so high ー Stewart was offered £3000 pounds Lawfull money for the Beaver as she lay just from a Cruize. when her Cargo. and all cost the owner but £2400 York ー You may think things-has rose amazingly here ー I wish you and Mr Duer would endeavor to buy up all the 6 and 4 pounders you possibly can. at any thing less than £ 70 a pair ー For the 6. and 50 pounds for the 4 ー at least you may buy if it is possible 10 pair of each sort, if you can buy the Cannon endeavor to buy muskets lik[e] wise ー Capt Cook no doubt will be a proper person to get these things if he will engage. I shall be at Hartford in a fortnight where I wish you would direct my Letters to be left, as the Cannon will determine my buying the Sloop. ー I find that I cant exchange any of my Tea here. as the merchants are afraid of engaging in that Article expecting it will be imported soon, and I believe it will. ー You see that I am baffled in all my schemes. but I have one more, which is to go to Govr Trumble [Jonathan Trumbull] and endeavor to borrow a few Tons of Salt Petre ー which if he consents will stand me in good stead. as I shall repay him when the bounty is taken off. should I succeed I shall do wonders as the devil himself has not more cunning than these people ー I have not heard of Harry since my last, but believe he is safe as the Enemy has not come to Huntington as yet.⁵

I come now to the Articles you desired to get for you. shoes none to be had. Linnen of about 4/ formerly now 16/. Hatts £4. and every thing in proportion I am afraid to buy for Mr Duer as he may get them at Phila much cheaper but if I must purchase for hik he must write me by the Post. show him this Letter that he may see what prCt we shall make or break by purchasing goods in these parts.. Carting Goods they pay 2/8 pr mile. strangers no doubt must pay 3/. & they are a set of Vagabonds that shall never have the honor of my company Among them again ー I expect to recieve a large Packet of Letters at Boston from you in answer to my last untill which unless I hear something extraordinary I shall not be able to write, in the mean time I remain

I forgot to mention that the Ceberus [Cerberus] retook two Vessels bound for this Port ー and a Small Schooner belonging came in here two days ago haveing had a handsome drubbing by a large Ship.