(seq. 186)

Boston May 2nd, 1763
{Messieurs} Lane & Booth
{Gentlemen}

This waits on you with due re=
spect {acknowledging} the receipt of your {favor} 16th {October} with Sales 450
Dollars remitted you by the Launceston Man War, {Net} Proceeds being
L 99.14.10 which have carried to your Debt. am Sorry I was So unluckey,
as not to have the money arrive before the Fall of Silver. but there
is one thing I observe, in an {Account} from another House of Silver
sent home at the same Time that it Sold for 5/3 1/2 oz. whereas your
{Account} is only 5/3 3/8 {per} oz. Should be oblidged to you inform me of the
reason hereof.-- Have likewise your {favor} {per} packett Since ye above
dated 8th January wherein you inform me that William Thomas
Bill on George Olive in Pool L150-- is noted for non acceptance,
which am sorry to hear, tho' by conversing with this Thomas, sup=
pose with you, it must arrise from George Olive not being arriv=
ed, as he had Sent the Letter of advice via Newfoundland,-- am
not afraid of loosing the Money, if there Should come a Pro=
test, as the Drawer is esteemed a sponsible {responsible} man. but Should
rather it were paid as the Money is due to you; & hope that will
be the next News I hear concerning it-------

--Have now inclosed you a Bill Lading for 270 Spanish {Dollars}
& 10 Johannes in a Bagg; on Board the DevonShire, Hugh Hunter
Master, which wish Safe to your Hand, {which} please to Sell for the
Most, & pass to my Credit--. Have likewise inclosed you an
{Invoice} for a few Linens etc I want for an Assortment which desire
may be put up according to order, & shipt on Board the first Vessell
for this Place, after you have Insured them.-- am Sensible the
Times are difficult, by reason of the Scarcity of money, & the
large Importation of Goods there has been among us, & the two
last years Drought, which has prevented our Country Customers
(tho Substantial Men) from making pay for the Goods sold them as
usual & so prevented many of us from making so Seasonable re=
mittances, as should otherwise have done, had it not been for this
Drought I should have discharged my Ballance with you long ago. for
I am always uneasy to be in Debt, for which reason have chose to
write for as Small matter Linens etc as I could, to keep an Assortment,
& to Sell only for the Cash or very Short Credit, tho' I see less,