[Extract]
...There is now in this Harbour two fine prize Ships, sent in by Capt [Henry] Johnson of this port, one from Jamaica for London, the other from Antigua for Halifax, the last of which, besides 400 & odd hhds of Rum, has on board 17 hhds that were not mentioned in her papers, & which were mark'd on the outside Jams, but contain English Goods, such as pins &c. ー we are fearfull Capt Johnson is taken as he meant to come i[n] with the Ships, & tho' the Ships have been in port this week past we have heard nothing from him. ー
...I have receiv'd two Letters from you since I wrote you; in the first of which you enquire respecting Hobarts casting of Cannon, if it is he who undertook to cast 'em in an Air Furnace, he has fail'd in his undertaking; but Cannon are cast in Different places in this Colony, 'tho' never very large as I have heard; but at Providence they cast as large as 18 poundrs
