Gunston-Hall May 31st: 1775
My Son George has a Mind to spend some Days in Philadelphia, while the Congress is sitting; and as he has been yet very little in the World, & young Fellows are too apt to fall into bad Company, in a place where they have no Acquaintance, I must presume so far on your Friendship as to recommend him to your Notice and Advice, for which I am sure he will be thankful.
We hear Nothing here from the Congress; I presume their Deliberations are (as they ought to be) a profound Secret. I hope the procuring Arms & Amunition next Winter, when the Ships of War can't cruise upon our Coasts, as well as the Means of laying in good Magazines of Provisions &c to the northward, will be properly attended to.
I cou'd almost wish that we paid the Ministry the Compliment of stopping our Exports to Great Britain & the West Indies at the same time their restraining Bills takes place; that our Operations might have a fair Start with theirs, & our Measures have the Appearance of Reprizal. I think you are happy in having Doctr. Franklin at the Congress; as I imagine no Man better knows the Intentions of the Ministry, the Temper of the Nation, & the Interest of the Minority.
The Ship you expected from your Brother into York River, has been arrived about a Fortnight; the Adventure, I believe, will sail next week; she has been delayed a good deal by the Scarcity of Craft. My hundred Hhds. (ninety of them in one Warehouse) were all ready before the Ship came out of Rappahannock, and in order to give her all the Dispatch in my Power (hearing the Capt. cou'd not engage sufficient Craft) I employ'd a Craft myself to carry sixty Hhds. on board. I have wrote by two or three different Vessels for Insurance at £11. Ster: Hhd. but if you have an Opportunity of writing to yr. Brother from Philadelphia, I shou'd be glad to have the Order repeated.
I most sincerely wish you Health & Happiness, and am, Dr Sir, Your affecte. & obdt. Servt.