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Esteemed Friend

We had the pleasure of writing the 16th:
December. last by the Packet Copy of which comes herewith inclos'd
& to which we refer.. we embrace the present opportunity of
acknowledging receipt of thy favor of 20th. January. last, & duly notice
what thou sayst respecting the Kings Warrants for the two
last payments to the Treasury, could we meet with a favorable
& safe opportunity, should not delay transmitting attested
Copies thereof, but as we do not deem the present as such
think most eligible to defer it. The Balance due to thee
from us, on thy private Account after reservig the Allowance
to thy son, being about Fourteen hundred & eighty pounds, it
shall agreable to thy desire be applied to the purchase of stock
in the Publick Funds, on which subject we have conversd
with thy son. Have not yet sold a single Hogshead of
the Tobacco received by the Hanbury in 1774, & as the prices

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here, in consequence of the present disagreement between
Great Britain & America, are greatly advanced, & in all
probability will continue encreasing, we cannot at present
say when we shall sell: the French are at Market & give
4/4 perHogshead for Tobacco of inferior quality, fine colourd Mary Land
Tobacco is not advanced in proportion, it will fetch from 4½ to
5½ as in quality, Virginia Tobacco for home Consumption is
advanc'd proportionally, but what may be the price some
Months hence time & the particular circumstances thereof
can only determine. We had the pleasure of thy sons
Company to dine with us yesterday, & inform thee of his being
in good Health. We shall tomorrow again apply to Mr.
Williams for his Friendship & assistance, in getting thy
request to the Lords of the Treasury for obtaining the [illegible]
ance as specified in thy memorial for rent &c complied
with, how far we may be able to suceed therein we cannot
at present say. Since our last have accepted thy

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thy bill on us in favor of Frank & Bickerton, Twelve
pounds fourteen shillings & six pence, which will go to thy
debit in due course. We remain with best wishes for
the continuance of thy health & welfare.

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