Robert Carter writes to Lodon merchant William Dawkins, July 3, 1723, alerting him to a shipment of 43 hogsheads of tobacco on board the Carter, and praising its high quality. He reports some bills of exchange of his own and others, and sends Dawkins directions regarding his sons (then in England at school). He wishes to have Robert sent home at once and Charles to come in the spring unless he wishes to come with his brother. He informs the merchant of the recent law passed by the colonial Assembly that will limit tobacco production, outlines the arguments in the law's favor, and hopes for Dawkins' support for it.

      My last was from Williamsburg accompanying a
Bill of Lading for 20 hogsheads of my own Crops stripped leaf and straight
laid, This covers a bill of Lading for 43 hogsheads of the same Tobacco
in the Carter, I shall spare the spending any more breath in its Commen
dation and shall only tell you that these 63 hhds. every one of
them Were made upon the best lands I am Master of, better
a great Deal than any of the finest Yorkers has to plant, and
under the management of as Nice Overseers as ever I had
under me in my life, and I must take the liberty to Say
I know as well how to keep overseers to their Duty and am
as much master of the planting Trade as anyone you
know,

      Herein I also send you some Bills of Exchange --
Drawn upon yourself Amounting as per list. To Eighty
to [sic ] pound Six & Eleven pence -- Either to be carried to my
Credit or returned protested.

     Herein is also two sets of exchange from Mr. C [ . . . ]
for your own Money due from the Estate of William Fox, one
from himself for £8:18s:8d: on John Burridge Esquire the other Endorsed by him for
£19:5s: -- d:. Your debt from Gibson of £2:11:3d you
may charge to my Accot I have his promise to repay me
Patrick Connelly is arrested for your debt he hath been
with me and Offers his bond for the Money to pay
as soon as he is able which I shall take I have found him to be a very punctual
as well as Industruous fellow, Some Years ago he was
in my Debt near a 100 £ and has worked it out to a
small matter.

     I have already advisd You I had drawn of my draft upon You
for £150 to Benjamin Harrison, and for £3"10" to Mr Clayton
and I must now acquaint You, by the Carter I send a bill to Mr.
Clayton Perry upon You for £200: which desire Your payment
of at time.

     As to my Sons I remain under the same resolution
as I was, Robin If he be not Embarked before, I would have
him come in, in the first good Ship for our River, and
Charles to follow him in the Spring. Either to our river or
to York unless he has a desire to come away with his brother
Surely before this and then let him be pleased
in Gods Name --

      Surely before this day my Tobacco in Your hands is
all Sold & that You will Send me my Accots by Hopkins
or by Some other Ship that first comes away

      Our Assembly has passed a Law laying a Stint
upon planting, prohibiting the planting any more
than Six thousand per head, It is to take place In April
Next, that the Kings pleasure may be known Whether
he'll be Graciously pleased to Allow us this Law
under Our present Misery, We are in [no] doubt great
Efforts will be made against It, the Merchants We hope
Will be for It, Their own Interest We would think
would Expect them will Engage them to Exert their Ut=
=most Strength In the Support of It, & of the Trade from
ruin which will Infallably Ensue without It, unless
the providence of God takes care of Us, by Some Acci
=dental Disaster, A Low market at home, The
Ships All coming full & the Greatest Crop upon the Ground