Page 168 (seq. 170)

Boston Jan[uary] 18th 1766

Gent[leme]n

My last to you was under Date of 21st Dec[embe]r when I inclos'd
you a small Invo[ice] of Goods to be Sent me in the Spring, since w[hi]ch
I am favourd with yo[u]r obliging Letter by Capt Bartlett Cover[in]g
Invo[ice] & Bill Lad[in]g of the Goods on Board, they are not yet on
Shore, I have no Doubt but they will come out Right & in good
order. ~ My demands latterly for Goods from you I confess have
been very small, owing partly to the little Demand here, & in
a great measure owing to the great Number of Importers
many of whom are oblig'd to Sell their Goods at all Events,
& of Course must go very Low, that Really I had better lay
by than Carry on Business to a Loss; it has been no Difficult
thing for any one to obtain Credit on your side, w[hi]ch has
hurt us much, & I believe you not a little but I think things
must Take a Different Turn, & the man of Capital will Carry
on Business to some advantage. ~ By next oppor[tunit]y I shall
Remitt you my whole Ballance, Should the Stamp act
be Repeal'd & our Grievances Remov'd, I shall Extend my Business,
& in all my Demands from your place wholly apply to yo[u]r
house, having the highest opinion of yo[u]r Fidelity & Integrity. ~
I purpose next Season to Build a Vessell of about 110 Tons, to
keep Running between this & Bristol, having a person to put
in her who has long been in my Employ. ~

My particular Freind & Relation Mr Wm Bowes
is passenger in my Vessell to London by whom this goes,
I have Taken the freedom to Give him a Letter to you Re=
=commending him to your wonted Civilities & notice, w[hi]ch I doubt
not you will readily afford him, & w[hi]ch I shall Esteem a fav[ou]r.
he is one of whom I have a high opinion, he is sober, of
a good mind honest & Industrious, in any Concerns
with him I think I may say, you may Rely on a punctual
Compliance with his Engagem[en]t he will pay you a Visit,
I Refer to my Letter by him you will, you will Excuse the
Liberty I have Taken.

I am much oblig'd to you for the favourable -
opinion you mention to have Conceiv'd of me, & for the
very kind Expressions in your Letter, I should be happy
to have it in my Power to Render you or your Freinds
any Services here. -

I am sensible of yo[u]r Connections & Concerns
this way with Respect to yo[u]r particular Business in
Navigation &c have not been small, & I suppose your
intentions are to Continue them, at least you will

[On left margin]
P[e]r Scott
P[e]r Gallaspie