Southampton [Virginia] May 18th 1775
Sir
I now send you by the Bearer Mr Samuel Hunting a some of Money which he has signd a Receipt here for; to your Adress to purchase Powder please to give him a Receipt that he may Send it back Sir there is Eight half Johaniss which are light if you Purchase in St Eustatia they will pass for 8 Dollars & save me the Loss here & if not your Capt must Change them to Oblige me & save me the Loss here Mr Hunting will let you know which they are Mr Hunting is a Gentleman of a Liberal Education, he has been 2 Voyages Master of a Vessel in my Employ I look upon him to be a Man of Principal & to be Depended upon. he is well Acquainted with our Shoar & in Case you Can once Command the Shoar there is no manner of Danger there is 10 Boats will be on our Beach till you arive & Can Unlaid You in an Hour But you will know the danger if any by Boats going of[f] to him by his Signal which I send you & must be Strictly adheard to if you get Soundings off the Capes of Virginia you can strike the Island where you please If it cant be Safe to come Round with the Vessel Mr Hunting must carry her on to Nicolls Gut & there She will be Safe in Case this Island is not Filled with Troops before he Arives & if that Should be the Case they must be dislodged by the United Forces of the whole Country But I hope that will not be the Case the Some of Money that Mr Hunting has Given Receipt for is one Hundred Sixty Five Pounds fourteen Shillings & Nine pence2
These from your Sincere Friend [&c.]
John Foster
P S Mr Hunting is not a Pilot into Nicolls Gut but he can inform you into the Nature of it and can get one
1. Shaw Collection, Packet No. 3, YUL.
2. A list of the money is attached to the letter.