Robert Carter writes to London merchant Thomas Corbin, December 20, 1707, that Ralph Wormeley's sons have arrived safely in Virginia and that some reports of sales of tobacco belonging to their father's estate will hardly [c] loa[th] them wth. Silken Suits." He continues that Virginia has had "melancholy" news through the governor of Bermuda that contradicted earlier news of the fall of Toulon and Marseilles; the news had come to Bermuda on a sloop that had sailed from Portsmouth with a fleet of 130 vessels that was attacked the day after it sailed with the loss of many ships including the Ruby which was carrying the colony's new governor [Robert Hunter].

     I have already advised you of the safe Arrival of the young W [or=]
=melyes to the welcome Joy of their relations wth them came [news]
of the Sales of some of their Tobo., such prizes will hardly [c] loa[the]
them wth. Silken Suits but Ile make no further observations, [No]
News here but melancholy, a Letter from the Govr. of Bermu[da]
of the 14th of Novr. tells us That by a Sloop from Ports[mouth]
in 5 weeks to that time the news we had of the
taking of Tholoun & Surrender of Marseilles was contradic[ted]
the former escaping only wth a very detrimental bombardmen[t]
that this Sloop came out in company of 130 Sail of Transports & other
vessels under Convoy of 5 men of war bound for Lisbon
among wch was the Ruby aboard whom our Govr was supposed [to be. They]