424 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C

with a very valuable Cargoe. I hope she has sailed, or about
sailing at this time. We have just made a large purchase
here of some Woolens, Musketts, and Gun flints which we
shall ship in the first of the Councils Vessells, that may arrive
here. We cautioned you and the Council some time past ag^t
sending your vessells to this Island, thinking it the most
dangerous and difficult to get into, which we are since sorry
for, as it has proved less here than to any other Island and for
the future Advise you to send all your vessells here for sundry
reasons, viz. This is always the best Markett for your Produce,
particularly tobacco which is now rising fast, all our purchases
are made here, and Freight paid to Martinico for all the goods
shipped from there, and most of the Cargoes is sent from
Martinique here to be sold and very high freight paid on
them that on the whole this is the best place by farr and
grows less difficult to Transact here, as the Dutch have dis-
cover'd that their laws when put in force must ruin their
Merchants. I am on the best terms with his Excellency the
Governor and have his word and Promise relative to some
particular that gives me great Satisfaction and puts much in
our powers.
I was not so happy some time agoe and every bad conse-
quence to apprehend on our new Governor's taking the Com-
mand, but we are as well fixed with him now as we were with

the former. We are very largely indebted here on acc^t of the
State, many sums now due and many lately contracted that
will of course be due shortly. W^re are doing all in our power
to serve our Country, and hope they will not let our credit
suffer. We are, Gentlemen
Your most obd^t & very hum^l Serv^t
Van Bibber & Harrison.
To Mess^rs Robert Townshend, Hooe & C^o

[J. Hollingsworth to Council.]

Baltimore November 5^th 1776
Sirs.
The Barer John Gibbons has been in Baltimore this 2 years,
and has behaved himself sober and well as far as I have
heard, and is a Industrious yongue man, is willing to take
charge of the Skooner Frendship and I beleve him fit for the
Task, he waits on you to No if it is agreeable and for your
further orders.
Pleas let me No by his Return how many Bll^s of Beef I
must have salted for you and the Perticulers of the Cargo you
would have Put on Bord the frendship. The Resolution has
her flour on Bord and her Bred is Redy I shall Put 20 hh^ds of