Letter:

“Halifax, Sept. 2^nd, 1796

John & James Patterson

Gentlemen,

I wrote you a few days ago informing you that I expected to purchase a large ship, which I have done. She is about 300 tons and will be ready to sail from here in about ten days. I expect you will on the receiving of this use every exertion in your power in procuring as much birch, pine, timber, staves oar rafters and large spars as will discharge the balance of your account. You can have no excuse in saying that you have not an opportunity to discharge your debt. I shall consign the ship to Mr. John Dawson who I have empowered to receive the lumber alongside the ship from you. I expect you will charge me the market price at Pictou for the lumber if it is higher than I can get it from others I will not received it from you and will immediately [send] you for the balance. The plank that the Enterprize could not take in you [wire] please put on board and as many more as you possible can. You will please forward me the prices of the different sorts of lumber sent by you so that I may know if you charge me the market price or not. Your compliance with the above will.

Greatly oblige gentlemen,

Yours,

James Kitchen”