Sir
Having taken the Liberty of acquainting you from Carolina
with the Occasion of my coming hither I beg leave to inform
you that what I looked on then as a misfortune may prove
otherwise in the Event; for I found that the Treasury did not
intend to fulfill their Agreement with me, & such a Combina-
tion among the Contractors for foreign Pot Ash as must inevi-
tably have crushed our new Manufacture had I not been here
at this luncture.
My Affair is however refer'd by the Treasury to the Board
of Trade where little Business has been done since Lord Hali-
fax resigned, & whether his Lordship will have such an Offer
as may induce him to accept of that Place again we do not
know, but 'tis not expected he will return on the same Terms
he had it.
Having my old Friend & Counsellor of Lincolns Inn to con-
duct me I am more afraid of the tedious Sollicitation than
Success & therefore expecting to put Things upon such a
Footing here as to give Satisfaction to your Self & every
Gentleman who has shewn Countenance to the Undertaking
I hope for the Honor of seeing you again with a good Face
& am with the greatest Regard & due Respect,
Sir
London. Your most obedient
I Aug^t 1757 very humble Servant
His Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq^r Tho^s Stephens