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Mistrs. Foster Cunliffe & Sam Powel
Gentlemen Shirley Sep.25.1737

I advised you the Beginning of the month of the arrival of the Stannage from Gambia. And the weather being at that time very cold I thought the slaves made but an indifferent figure, but the wind coming about to S.W. and growing very warm on [ascending?] they looked better and better for several days. I have now sold one hundred and forty five of them which turn out I think at sixteen pounds some odd shilling [a] sterling a head; and tho' the thirty eight that remain are all grown men and great part of the other were Boys and Girls & Children yet I fear they will not [gow?] off at the same rates unless it be on Credit till next summer. For many of the Planters had parted with their cash earlier than the arrivals of the Ship, and others who usually draw Bill of Exchange having finished their affairs for the year, are not inclinable, and some not able, to draw any more Bill; so that the sale proceeds but heavily at present. Yet I will not dispair if thy slaves can't be got off otherwise. I fear I must deal with some of the wholesale Chaps if any such offer at all, & will come up to a price that is tolerable for ready pay. I am in Hopes that the ship may sale in about a month. I reacon she will have aboard eighty four hhds. of tobacco forty six of them my own go to Mr. Cunliffe, the other thirty eight I have purchas'd for cash and will stand-in about five pounds ten shilling sterling a [hhd. no more than thirty of these last will be consigned you as part of the remittance on the sale of the Stannage's cargo. the captain chusing [choosing?] to