tical letter to urge the
remittance of the fourteen thousand hogsheads of tobacco written for
formerly, in part payment of these stores; if you make it twenty, the
public will be the gainers, as the article is rising fast. You are
desired by no means to forget Bermuda; if you should, Great Britain
will seize it this winter, or France on the first rupture, having been
made sensible of its importance, by the officious zeal of that same Mr
H. As your navy is increasing, will you commission me to send you duck
for twenty or thirty sail? I can procure it for you to the northward
on very good terms, and you have on hand the produce wanted to pay for
it with. Have you granted commissions against the Portuguese? All the
friends to America in Europe call loudly for such a measure.

Would you have universal commerce, commission some person to visit
every kingdom on the Continent, that can hold any commerce with
America. Among them by no means forget Prussia. Grain will be in
demand in this kingdom, and in the south of Europe. Permit me again to
urge an increase of the navy. Great Britain is calling in her
Mediterranean passes, to expose us to the Algerines. I propose
applying to this Court on that subject. Doctor Bancroft, of London,
merits much of the Colonies. As I shall now have frequent
opportunities of writing by officers and others going out, I will not
add more, than that Mr Carmichael has now been with me some time,
recommended by Mr A. Lee, of London. I owe much to him for his
assistance in my despatches, and for his friendly and seasonable
advice upon all occasions. He is of Maryland, and is here for his
health, and proposes going soon to America. I expect to hear from
London tomorrow by Dr B. who is on his way here.

I am, with my most sincere respect and esteem for the Secret
Committee, and most profound regard to the Congress, your most
obedient and very humble servant,

SILAS DEANE.

_P. S._ An agent from Barbadoes is arrived in London to represent
their distresses; another from Bermuda with a declaration to the
Ministry of the necessity of their being supplied with provisions from
the Colonies, and saying that if not permitted they must ask the
protection of Congress.

I have to urge your sending to me, either a general power for the
purpose, or a number of blank commissions for vessels of war. It is an
object of the last importance, for in this time o