Robert Carter writes to Bristol merchant John King, August 9, 1728, to report the arrival of King's letter and shoes that he had ordered. He declines to send more tobacco to Bristol as the market is so bad, and he orders "Bristol waters" to treat "a Distemper I have bin afflicted with these three or four Years ."

     I recd your Letter by Capt. Darracott ^Sweett
with the Shoose ^{also by Capt: Darracot} he hath offerd me freit if I had Occasion but
your market is so cry'd out of all England over not only for its low=
ness but for its having Spolyd the markets of all England over besides
that I think it will be very imprudent to Send any Tobbo: to you at
this time

     For a Distemper I have bin afflicted with these three
or four Years I have bin advised nothing will Contribute more to my
recovery then the use of the Bristol waters and I reckon it will be much
better having it from you then round about from London Therefore
desire you to take the first Opportunity to Send me in 2 or 3 dozen
of Flasks of it It must be carefully packt up and the Master parti=
cularly Engaged in its Safe Stowage I also desire you to Send me in
20 -- 10d: Nails and 10,000 -- 8d: which is the needfull at present from