Robert Carter writes to Captain John Hyde & Company, July 3, 1723, to report that a shipment of goods arrived while he was at the Assembly, but he has been so busy since his return that he has not had time to review the goods. Hyde's ship must remain in the colony until the next crop is ready; the last harvest has all been shipped. The Scots ships that came in together have not been able to obtain full cargoes while "our Ships are all got full." He describes the terms of the recent Assemblly's law restraining the quantity of tobacco planted, and states some arguments for the approval of the law by the government. He encloses a bill of lading for 40 hogsheads of tobacco, an invoice for goods for his children, and a bill of exchange (none present).

     Yours of the 28th of March by Captain Burton came to hand
According to your orders he sent down his long Boat with my goods
they came when I was from home at our Assembly had not the
opportunity of writing him an answer Mrs: Chew Acquaints
me their tobacco was all gone Your Ship must lie over until the
next Crop and urges me to provide some early tobacco for
her to which I dont know what to say, I have heard it tallked
that after tobacco has paid the Duty here they have Exacted the
Duty there over again which if true is a very great
Discouragement to the Trade and to a Communication
between the two Governments. I shall enquire into it and
shall be very willing to serve your Interest

     We have had a long assembly which has kept
me from home until very lately and puts me into such a hurry
cannot spare time at present to ooverhaul the goods Shall
say nothing of them at present

     You tell me and indeed all agree the same that
while the Scotch Affair was on foot there was no Selling
tobacco but that you were then Intreaty for a good parcel
of my tobacco I have hopes by this time you have sold
it of all what these Ships find on hand it is to be feared will
not do very well, our Ships after abundance of Struggling
and dobbling are all got full, The Scotch Fleet that came all
came in at once upon us many of them cannot find tobacco .
and several of the MaryLand Ships lie over,

      Herein

     You have been so kind from time to time to advise
me of the Steps of the Scotch affair in return I shall tell you what
we have been doing here towards our releif, our Good Governour

     The very low ebb that the Trade is come to. a low
market at home the Shipping now coming full, and the greatest
Crop upon the Ground that ever was known, nothing but fatal
ruin threatens us unless we can have the relief of this Law

     After all there will not be such a mighty Dimi
nution to the revenue as some Imagine 6 thousand plants upon
the best of our Grounds Nicely tended will probably make
more and better tobacco than 10 or 12 ( thousand ) of the bad as well
as the good are thrown in to Augment the Quantity, many
more reasons you will be able to Suggest to your Selves
and we hope you will have none to put you upon Endea-
vours for Destroying it, I might give you a much larger
Entertainment of the proceedings of our Assembly, but there is
no fear of news Mongers enough without any help of mine

     Herein I send you a bill of Lading for 40 hogsheads
of my Crop tobacco on Board the Carter stemmed and straight laid
separated from all manner of Trash passed upon Oath, and
I have avoided the fault of hard prizing, all these Circum
stances will make It Acceptable or I shall Conclude it
out of my Power

     Herein I also send you a small Invoice for my
Childrens things, you pl and some odd things for myself
you pleased both them and me so well last Year that I am
not Desirous to change hands, by Captain Hopkins I flatter
myself with hopes to have some good news of my business
already under your care I am Sr. -- --