The Preceding is a Copy of my last of the 17th. of Decr. since which I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you.

Enclosed you will be pleased to receive Accts. of Imports & Exports by American Vessels, within my District for the half–Year ending the 31st. of Decr. last. You will also receive here with some of our latest News–Papers, likewise a London Price-Current, to which I beg leave to refer you for what is passing in this quarter of a Public Nature.

The Price of every Kind of Human food continues to increase here & is now at a most alarming hight & the scarcity so great that if very considerable supplies do not soon arrive the consequences ⟨I fear⟩ may be serious indeed, especially as the War, youll observe, is spreading sti⟨ll⟩ wider and will most probably materially interfere with those supplies ⟨from⟩ the European Continent, which might otherwise be expected from then⟨ce⟩ and the Importion from America alone I apprehend cannot be s⟨uf⟩ficient for our wants, as no doubt the West-India Islands must cal⟨l⟩ on her also for large supplies of provisions which at present can be had in no great quantity from any where else.

Peace I flatter myself will at all events be Preserved by America as this Blessing is certainly the Parent of almost every other, whereas Odious War brings in its infernal train every Evil.

The Prospect on our fields at Present is very flatteri⟨ng⟩ to which this very mild Winter we have had has greatly contributed, as Pastures & Gardens have been almost as productive as in Summer.

These fortunate circumstances have in no small degree mitigate⟨d⟩ wants, which, otherwise, would certainly have been much more severely felt. I have the Honor to be with great respect, Sir, Your Most Obedt. & Most Humle. Servt.