Philadelphia
May 7, 1777
We have no News here, except what We get from your Country. The Privateers
act with great Spirit, and are blessed with remarkable Success. Some Merchant
ships are arrived this Week from
Maryland. They were first chased by Men of War, in attempting to
get into
Cheasapeak Bay -- they run from them and
attempted
Delaware Bay -- there they were chased again. Whereupon they
again shifted their course for
Cheasapeak and got in safe in spight of all the Men of War could do.
Thus you see We can and will have Trade, in spight of them . . . . And this Trade will probably increase
fast. It requires Time for The Stream of Commerce to alter its Channell. Time is necessary, for our Merchants and foreign
Merchants to think, plan, and correspond with each other. Time is also
necessary for our Masters of Vessells and Mariners to
become familiar with the Coasts, Ports and Harbours of foreign Countries -- and a longer Time still is
needfull for French, Spanish, and Dutch Masters and
Mariners to learn our Coasts, and Harbours.
Yours, ever, ever yours.