Page 56 (seq. 58)

This is not we Apprehend the full Value, however leave it to [damaged]
to Order what Proportion you think best, but do not Judge it Prudent
to neglect Insuring some part. Oil is extremely high & scarce, which
you will Notice in the Sale. We have been very lucky in purchasing
a Cargo of Oil, for this Vessell, & think we have Gain'd a great Point, even
Mr. Rotch's Vessell lays waiting for Oil, & she began to Load before our
Brigt was Ready to Take in, & indeed while the Boston Packett was Load[in]g.
You shall have some particulars hereafter. We have Engag'd a
Sufficiency of Oil for the Ships & Brigt in the Fall, which in all probability
will be Ready on their Return here, that we shall Expect the Brigt back.

We hope (tho' think it Dubious) that you may obtain a Freight for
the Brigt to this Place, or to Halifax, if can be had immediately, but
rather than she should wait, we would Advise she should directly after
Discharging her Cargo with you, Proceed to New Castle, & Take a Load of
Coals on our Joint Acco[un]tt or our's separately, which we think will Answer
very well, if many Ships dont Come this way from thence, & it is not
very probable they will, as our Markets have been so dull. It is our
Determination that unless a Freight immediately offers for this Place
that she proceeds to New Castle. In Regard to a Concern in the Brigt
we make no Doubt but you will like to own one half of her; & we shall
accordingly as soon as we can, Send you the Acco[un]tt of her Cost, & Debit your
Acco[un]tt in one half; we at first propos'd to Sell her, but like her so well
that we chuse to keep ^her at least for some time, & this for many Reasons which
you shall know hereafter. We hope soon to hear from you. Do Send
all our Acco[un]tts unsettled, Cuming's Acco[un]tt & our Acco[un]tt Curr[en]t which we
are really Tir'd of Repeating. Give us Leave, out of Friendship, Just
to mention that we think you are not altogether so Regular in your
Answers to Letters, & Sending Acco[un]tts of Sales &c. as is Expected; we have
heard many Complaints of that Sort, which is apt to Prejudice Persons
against your House, we could not Say so much, as could have wish'd
as there is a great Proof of it as to our own Acco[un]tts. This you will Excuse,
& hope there will be no more Occasion of the like Complaints in future.

You will duly Notice that we did not Recommend Mrs. How to
you, for Credit, only for any little Civilities or Services you might please
to Show her, as she was Distressed.

We can't Add, but that we are Sincerely,
Gent[leme]n,
Your most Obedient Servants.

Messrs Barnard & Harrison

[left margin, vertical]
Via New York
By Capt. Hatch
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston July [no date given] 1764

Gent[leme]n

We have none of your fav[ou]rs to Reply to. This we hope
you will Receive by the Brigt Lydia James Scott Mas[te]r who we
wish may have a quick Passage to you. Inclos'd you have Invoice
& Bill Lading of the Cargo on board the Brigt Lydia in equal thirds
with yourselves, Folger & Gardner, & ourselves in the Disposal of which
you will do the best for our Interest, & Credit our Acco[un]tt for one third
the Produce. Oil is extremely high & scarce, very little been Caught
this Year, in Comparison of other years, that hope you will be able
to obtain a good Price for this, & cant but be of Opinion that it's best
not