I mentioned in my last that I should have occasion to ask your Assistance relative to the Dutys on two Cargoes of Sugar which are consigned to Mr. Lee and myself. You will see that if they pay the Foreign Duty according to the inclosed State, it will amount to (reckoning the hogsheads at 1000 lbs. only) 78,330 Livres, but if admitted at the Rate of French Sugars, to only 21190.2.8 which makes a Difference of about 57140.17.4. The Intention of the foreign Duty appears to be to prohibit any other Sugars than French ones from coming to market, and were a Speculator to endeavour to introduce such here he would no doubt be subject to pay it. But in the present Case it is widely different, and if the Farmers will not accept of the French Duty, (which is so much clear gain to them) they will not have any Future prizes of that Sort in their ports.

The president of the Committee des Traites is Monsieur de la Periere a l’hotel des Fermes, ou a son Hotel Rue Therése. M. Guerton the Directeur des Fermes writes to him to day on this Subject and I shall be highly obliged if you will kindly represent this matter to him and obtain an express order to accept of the amount of the French Duty. In the present Case it is only a Favour granted to particular persons, in future it will be one to the public by establishing a president for future Prizes.

I beg leave to repeat my Request to have this matter settled according to the French Duty and with the greatest Expedition. I write this in a seperate Letter because I think best not to mix it with any other Concerns.

I hope you will excuse the trouble this affair will give you, and that you will favour me with an answer by return of post. I should observe that M. de la Pierere is the only person of the Compagnie that should be consulted as the Directeur of the Fermes here hinted to me. I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect (tho much in haste) Gentlemen Your most obedient and most humble Servant