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made in the Letters before mentioned may be sold, at such times as you shall judge most for my Advantage, and what Arises from it retain in your Hands till I have Occassion to make use of it. I am,

Sir

Your most Humble Serv. [Servant]

_______________________________________

Mr. Edward Athawes

Wmsburgh Nov. 1 1737

Sir

The 17th of August I acquainted you of the Extraordinary Drowth, & that it was hardly possible but the Crops must be very short. That Opinion is since confirmed beyond all possibility of Doubting for tho' about the latter end of September there fell a fine and plentifull Rain, and some warm weather that succeeded, did like a new summer make the Tobacco shoot up wonderfully so that a great Deal more was housed than could have been expected, yet a sharpe Frost coming on what was left out, & unfit to cut, destroyed a very large Quantity so that I believe I may say from my own Observations & the best Informations I have been able to get, that if there be half Crops made, that will be all. If any of my Cousins or my Tobacco's are unsold when this gets to hand, I leave it to your Discretion to act as you think will be most for our advantage, either by keep it on hand for a better market, or selling it, Herewith you will receive a Letter of my Brother Charles, to advise that the Bill of Exchange of Colonel Robinson