Robert Carter writes to Bristol merchant Joshua Franklyn, July13, 1720, concerning some bills of exchange, and reporting that hehas shipped 15 hogsheads of tobacco to John King in Bristol, and hadconsigned 10 more to Franklyn's cousin, but since the latter's death,the ship's captain had "Sent me a bill of Lading very magisterialy Consigning my Goods to one of his ownrs." He has directed King to prevent this. He has not collected the small debt due Franklyn fromWilliam Ball. He thanks Franklyn for his condolences on the death ofCarter's wife the previous year, and states, "I . . . propose tomyself to Continue in my Single State until the time comes when Imust put on Immortality."

     I received Yors. of the 23d. of October wherein You tell
me You had paid mybill to Stamps, I have not received
any Stated Account fromYou. However have thought in a little
time of making another Draft on You for £50.In
which hope I shall not Exceed my bounds, I have Shipped
but 25hogsheads to your port this Year 15 to Mr. [John] King the
other 10 was to go to your Cousin , butSince his Death
Captain Sweet has Sent me a bill of Lading veryma
gisterialy Consigningmy Goods to one of his owners.
This Ihave Directed Mr. King toprevent, as soon
as I hear how It Determines there I shallaccordingly
treat Mr. Sweet here, Majr. Ball has not yet pd.
me Your 20/ not from any disowning of the Debt but
I must own from the want of my Demanding It the
last business I Transacted business with him

     I'm oblig'd to You for Your Comassionate [sic] terms of
Condolence however after we have preach'd up all
the Lessons of resignation we are Masters of So long
as wecarry flesh & blood about us, naturewill have
It's turns of victory over the best ballanc'dminds
& all our Philosophy will sometimes recoyl [sic] & give ground