Gunston-Hall March 20th. 1784.
I sent my Son Thomson up to Alexandria, on Wednesday last, with a Letter for you, desiring to know when the Ship two Brothers wou'd sail, and whether she cou'd take in my Tobo. He had not the Pleasure of finding you at Home; but tells me he was inform'd, by Mr. Robert Brent, that the Ship wou'd sail in three or four Days, and cou'd not take in any of my Tobo but that it wou'd all be sent in the Brig Commerce Capt Hill; who wou'd sail in ten or fifteen Days: Whereupon I have wrote to Messrs Wallace Johnson & Muir, Merchants in London, to make Insurance, on my Account, for thirty three Hogsheads of Maryland Tobacco (the Quantity for which I formerly sent you the Inspector's Notes) to be consign'd them it the said Brig; and must beg the Favour of you to engage positively with the Capt of the Brig for taking in my Tobacco; & that you will be so kind as to take my Bills of Loading for me, & transmit them to me, by the first safe Hand; that I may inclose one of them in my Letter by the Brig, when she sails.
When the Craft brings my Tobacco from the Warehouses, if any of it shou'd be missing, & not to be found; I wish to be advised of it, in time to replace it with other Tobacco; being anxious to ship the exact Quantity, on which I have ordered Insurance.
I beg Leave to trouble you with the Packet, sent herewith for Messrs. Wallace Johnson & Muir, Merchts. in London; and to request the Favour of your delivering it to Capt Street, with a Recommendation of his particular Care of it; as it incloses some Papers of Importance. I am Dr Sir Your most obdt. Sert.