Gentlemen
My Last was 26 Ultimo since I have your favour 22 feby Your Opinion about the Quantities of Wheat and Flour sent here is just, & the price has been supported tolerably, though it might have been kept up at 7/. however considering the variety of hands it was in, it was better than expected, especially as many were eager to sell, & some was actually sold at 6/7½; however the steadiness of the other Holders supported the price. You may judge how great our Wants were when we have already imported 181,852 Bushels Wheat & 18,711 Barrels flour & yet the price keeps up.
You are right in one respect about the Friendship's Cargo being of good Quality. It was a clean good grain, but white, consequently light, & not so much admired here as the heavier grain which though not so white is preferred greatly & will produce a much larger quantity of Flour. This made it a difficulty with me to support the price at 6/9 when there were so many Cargoes of heavy wheat at market a preferable grain however as nothing could enduce me to lower the price I only lost a quicke Sale as I have now nearly sold the whole, though I have not delivered a great deal the purchasers being very slow in taking it away.
The Weather has been favourable of late, but it is not too late to give up all fears of bad before the Summer comes on. I shall keep you constantly advised, but let it be a good Harvest Wheat will not be under 6/9 till November.
No News in politicks. The restraining Bills having both passed you will easily discover the mood of Government which prevails here. We shall be anxiously expecting to hear from America. I am with great Truth [&c.]
Flour 16/6 common ー lower by 6d at least than necessary 18/ fine
I have given a Letter of Introduction to you to a M Barety a Frenchman who is going to America. He is a very ingenious Man & is master of many different kinds of Manufactures any ways connected with Chemistry ー The Culture of Silk in particular. He may perhaps be found especially by some of your ingenious people, an useful Man.
