Robert Carter writes to London merchant John Burridge, May 27, 1721, reporting the arrival of some goods Burridge had shipped via Bristol, and informing Burridge that he has hired a small London ship on which he will send a "good parcell" of tobacco. He has done this because Captain Cortenay has not arrived. There are so many ships in the colony, he notes, that he believes some will not obtain cargoes. He concludes with a compliant about the threats from the numerous pirates and that the trade receives little protection.

     I have lately received a small parcel of Goods from You
Via Bristol and Drew on You the other day for £16 payable
to Henry Thompson, The business of this is to advise You
That yesterday I hired a small ship of London of about Two
hundred hogsheads James Richardson Master to bring me some
Tobacco to Your port by whom You may Expect a good parcel from
me, Will, Read will take in none but for his owner, Courtenay
we have no news of [which] made me fall upon this way, We have a
vast Swarm of ships in this year certainly some of the will
not find Tobo to Load them,

     The pirates threaten us very much It's a poor case no better care
is taken of so great a Trade I remain