Yours of the 4t. Instant, I have received
1 which I received by Via Watertown but As the post is most certain would not have
you be affraid of writing that way On Account of the postage. I Observe what you say
about liberty of going to foreign ports which, there has been no Obstruction As to
going in ballast. You say trade, you expect, will be Open very soon. We have little
or nothing in this province to send. There is a Cargo or two of fish sutable for the
Spanish Market which iff not sent will perish On the proprieters hands,
2 which iff taken can be no publick benifit to Britan, and a little Lumber besides.
But iff a general liberty that Minute itt is Open more, than between the Colony's
you had as goods send your Compliments to Lord North and let him know you have Undertaken
to supply the fleets &c. in these parts, and the West India Islands and that he need
not trouble himself to make but very little provision for them as am almost certain
there wont be much need as to flour and bread. I am informd by Vessells lately from
Martinico and that way that they had taken such quantity's of flour att Antigua, as
they were sending itt to the french Islands. By the prisoners that run away from the
N W both here and to the southward, all say they are all half allowance and was itt
not for the Captures of flour and grain Vessells even acoming
[?] here they would be in a worse condition and although I like trade yet to have itt
Universal, except to G. B. &c. I think I should forego any Advantage, for 6 mo. to
come, which as they have all there supplys to come a thousand leagues must make there
supplys uncertain and consequently there scheems more Unlikely to be attended with
success. Wheat, Rice, &c. is kept and not thrasht Out will receive no damage for a
length of time and probably more like to fetch a prize 6 mo. hence than now as All
the Markets in Europe are supplyd and flour Cheaper att any of the Markets than we
have itt here. A Nother disadvantage will insue as to sailers to Man the ships that
are building. I may be mistaken as
{ 127 } to my judgment, in those Matters and wish I may be As am sensible mine is but of little
Consequence. There has been a fine Opening since the fleets went off iff itt could
been so as that Admiral Hopkins' fleet could have been here to have stopt every thing
going up and indeed to have taken the ship att Nantasket, as for some days there has
been but One and now Only a brig and Schooner besides which Obstrucks a free passuage
up to Boston. The Vessell from the Granards taken last week by three boats from Cohasset
with near 400 hhd Rum &c. will supply those Towns with Toddy for sometime to come.
3 Att least Computation she is worth six thousand pounds ster. Yesterday saild for
London, same Masters that has been taken who Genl. Washington gave leave to go and
with them some pedling scotch Traders and hope iff ever things comes to rights these
may never anymore be Allowed to come here of those lower Class for to make themselves
of importance they are always for Addressing and being Government's Men. I see One
Mr. Erving is taken att N. Providence who was a scotch lad sent Over As Inspecter
of Imports, and exports att Boston a few Years Ago,
4 that thot there was nobody in Boston that was fit Company for him (indeed he was
right in that) and that Nobody knew how to dress any thing fit for a Gentleman, (there
he was right likely for they might be Unacquainted with what might sute One just pickt
Out of the boggs of Scotland). You have heard of Bill Jackson's being taken.
5 He received some Insult on the road which am sorry for and lamented by all, persons
of any consequence. He is in Boston goal, but I dont learn he has behavd any way Ill
att Boston dureing the seige. I hope you will Excuse, for troubling you with such
an Epistle of no more Consequence and are Yr. &c.