Robert Carter writes to London merchant Thomas Corbin, February 26, 1705, to thank him for two letters and that he does not know how to respond to Corbin's comments about the "Mattrs. of State," an affair in which Carter is deeply involved. He notes the deaths of William Byrd, David Gwinn, and Robert Tayloe, master of the Corbin, which is being repaired on the bank of Corotoman Creek. In a lengthy postscript dated March 8th, he writes that he has received two more letters from Corbin, one via Barbados and the other through Pennsylvania which he suspects was opened. He is pleased with the sale of the Rappahannock tobacco but cannot comment on the needed work on the Corbin about which Corbin's brother will be better able to write him; he adds that the present master of the ship, Richard Cudlip, is not well qualified for the work.
I am Indebted to you for two Letters Since my Last
writing, Those parts that Relate to Matters of State
I Don't know how to give a fit Answer to it falls to my Share
to be Deeply Concern'd in a Cause that I Call the Countrys that
I
drew my first breath in wch must End either in Victory or the Ruin of thm.
who have made the attempt.
which I Suppose you and a great many Others have Other thoughts
of but the Event will prove who hath been in the Right.
I have Little to Say at this Time Relating to the young
Wormeleys Affairs. I know it will be no News to you to give you
an Account of Robert Tayloes
Death of Major. Gwins
Death
or of Colonel Byrd's
Death or of the Corbins being upon the Careen
in my Creek.
[P. S.]
March the. 8th. 1704/5
Since the Above I have Received Two more Letters
from you One the 14th. of August the Other the 6th of January
of all the Rest you Mention none Come to hand Saving
those two by the way of Barbadoes am very Suspicious
What you wrote by the way of Pennsylvania has Come under the
Managment of Some of the Northern Engineers. Am
Glad to hear you have made So good a Sale of the Rappa [hannock]
.
Tobacco Its much that you had from York Should fall so
much Short I know not what to Say about the Corbin
Your brother
is the fittest Man to give Satisfaction to the Persons
Concern'd they all Live out of my way, I shall offer my
best arguments the first Time I see any of them & acquaint thm.
what you Write 'Tis your Misfortune to have a Master
that is but In=
differently Qualified for the post he is in how it will be help'd
I know not. The Ships Bottome is in good order; and She might
be Quickly upon Loading were there
business,
Your most humble obedient Servant
I thank you for the Offer of Some Madera wine may be a Chapman
for
Some when it Comes. Shall not add more but that I am Sir