[Extract]
Sr

Your favo'r of the 18th Ult P Capt [John] Roche, is now before me, to which I answer -It has given me much pleasure to Correspond with you on Publick Affairs, as I was always Certain, of all matters being Carried into execution (that fell within your Department,) with Effect. It now gives me great Satisfaction to have a Correspondence with you, or the House of Willing, Morris & Co[m]p[an]y on private business; — I think my self under Obligation to you for the good opinion you are pleased to Entertain of me and the Liberty you have given me of Speculating for so large a Sum of money. Depend on't I shall take hold of every Opertunity, (that may Turn up in this place) of Serveg you and the House of Cunningham Nesbit and Compy, in the Purchase of Prize goods,² — Nothing would make me happier than to have it in my power, to be Concern'd for one third as youv'e been kind enough to Mention; but when I tell you, that two thirds of My little fortune is now in the hands of Messrs Lane & Compy of London, and that which I have here, vested in parts of Private vessells of war, and Merchantmen, will easily see that I should be wrong to Attempt it, not that Iv'e the least doubt but much might be Made, in this way (Common Accidents excepted) by men of large Capital You may Depend on't that whether I am Concern'd or not, (if you ch[oo]se to make Purchases) it shall be done on the best terms, and every Caution taken in my Power: and whatever Allowance you may think for doing the business, will give me full Satisfaction.

. . . the Oak plank you mention will not Suit the Westindia Market, by no means so well as pine I think the Ships may be had, tho the Rigg and Sails which perhaps some may want in part, will be extravagently high, the men I beleive may be had tho high wages, — some of the Prize ships have been Sold very low, but they have been very old and wanted much Repairg those have been Sold at £500 to £7 or £800 — The ship which Ive mentiond with Jamaica Rum is Very good river built. Thorough repair last voyage which Cost £1500 Stg only the repairs upwards of two hundred Tons, the Ship with Mahogany old, one hundred and Sixty Tons, good ship, Carolina built. . . .