Gunston Hall April 1784.

DEAR SIR

I recd. a Letter, two or three Days ago, from Colo. Wm. Deakings, informing me that he had engaged Room, in a Ship of Colo. Forrest's, now loading at Boyd's Hole, for thirty Hhds. of Tobo. to the Address of Messrs. Wallace Johnson & Muir; and telling me if I inclined to send any Tobo. by her, & wou'd forward the Notes to you, that you wou'd be kind enough to employ Craft, & have the Tobo. put on board; but as he did not mention the Terms of Freight, I cou'd give no certain Answer. If she is a good Ship, & takes in Tobo. upon the same Terms that Capt. Street did; vizt. £7 Ster: Per Tonn, the Ship paying the Craft Hire for carrying the Tobo. on Board, I will ship twenty Hhds. from Chickamuxan Warehouse, or any smaller Quantity that there is now Room for; but I shou'd know the Name of the Ship & Captain; that I may order Insurance in time.

Your answer, respecting the above mentioned Particulars, will oblige Dr. Sir Your most obdt. Sert.

G MASON

RC (Gunston Hall). Addressed to Fitzgerald in Alexandria, to be carried by the slave "Nace."