Since mine of Jany. 14. most of the Bills therein mentioned as not having then appear’d, have been presented, and I have accepted three more of them, viz. the Nos. 36, 50, and 121. which makes the whole Sum accepted by me £22,500. all of which is now paid except the three above mention’d Bills, which will also be paid in course. The others are noted and when protested will be paid by Messrs. Sargent & Aufrere.

A more unlucky Time could not have been pitch’d upon to draw Money out of the Stocks here, for it was in the midst of the Damp thrown upon them by the Breaking off the Negociations for Peace, the Resignation of Mr. Pitt, and the entring into a new War with Spain. All imaginable Care and Pains was taken to sell our Stocks to the best Advantage, but it could only be done by degrees and with Difficulty, there being sometimes no Buyers to be found. The whole Produce of the £15000 4 per Cents. was no more than

as you will see by the Broker’s Account of Sales inclos’d. However, as the Bills you have drawn will all be honoured and paid, no Disappointment will arise to the Trade of the Province and its Merchants, tho’ perhaps, notwithstanding the good Price of Exchange receiv’d for the Bills beyond what they would have sold for when the Money was first vested in the Funds, there may still be some Loss to the Publick. I am with great Respect, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant