Robert Carter writes to London merchant Micajah Perry and his grandson of the same name, March 25, 1721, that Edmund Jenings's son has been quick to take money from Carter, but is reluctant to write to his father, and that collecting money from him is difficult. He adds that both Jeningses are in debt to him. He is suffering from the gout, and reports Mann Page's loss of his house and store from a fire on Marth 8th. Although the Perrys have written gloomily about the market for tobacco, Mr. Wormeley's tobacco has fetched a good price. The governor, Alexander Spotswood, is at his iron mine at Germanna and is pursuing the work strenuously. There is to be a meeting of the trustees of the College of William and Mary to settle their differences. Carter added in his hand to the clerk's draft a request to be sent salt.

     I could never believe Collo. Jennings having had
the Proprietors affairs in his hands in so very good times but that he had quitted
Scores with them every Year, Young Jennings I find hath bin nimble enough
to receive my bills altho he hath not found an opportunity among the many
that have offered to write his Father a line as he tells me, You give me
several hints that You wish I may come by my money as easy from him
as I parted with It to him, all I can now say is It had bin well these
cautions had come sooner, I should have had the witt not to lett
him have the fingering so much of my money, You may believe I was
not in his debt, I have both him and his Son bound to me body and
bones, if that will be a sufficient security to me. --

     The Storey You tell of Mr. Buckner is such a pityfull
one that any person who had any value for his Character would
blush to hear of --

     I have now bin confind to my house for above a month
by that cruel companion the Gout, Poor Collo. Page hath had a
most dismal loss the 8th of this month his dwelling house and
Store burnt down to the Ground --

     You advise us strongly to endeavour the keeping the Ships
that are come in from Loading but that is Impossible, People will
be mad in Spite of our Teeths,

     Arthur Lee's Ships had the luck to meet with
long passages else they might have bin upon the return by this
time, Yor. Lettrs. have many discourageing presages of the fall of the
Markett and yett I'm told Arthur Lee sold all Mr.
Wormeleys Tobo. that went in Wharton at 11 1/2d We begin to look
hard for the Ships sure 'twill not be long before we see some of
them, The Govr. is gon to Germana persues his Iron Mine Stren
=uosly there is weighty taulks about It, how 'twill Succeed must
be left to time, The Govrs. of the College meet on Munday next
to settle Differences amicably as 'tis said which I shall be glad
to hear, That that noble design may have a better use among us
than to be a lasting Foundation of Jarrs and Divisions, I want
Salt very [much] three or four hundred Bushels if You can contrive to
Ordr [it for] me It will be very welcome.