Robert Carter writes to London merchant Edward Athawes, June 28, 1729, to point out to Athawes that neither he nor his partner, William Dawkins, has bothered to confirm to Carter that partnership. He notes that he has sent more tobacco to their firm than to any other and states what he expects from a merchant who handles his business.

     In answer to a Letter of yrs. Dated in 1727 I wrote to
you at large the 8th. of August 1728 . I do not remember I have rec'd any return
from you ^{to this} neither hath Mr Dawkins yet so much as mentiond to me your
name much less that you are his Partner. I find you are much in the Esteem
of my sons who from their Personal Acquaintance Say a great many good
things of you that you are a Person of a great deal of diligence and undergo a
great part of the weight of Mr. Dawkins's business. and they are desirous
now you [have] married and Live in the City that I should enter into a Correspond
ence with you. Which is the gives Occasion to this

     My Consignmts. to Mr. Dawkins are this year 78 hogsheads
Exceeding my business Considerably to any man in the trade, the best reco=
mmendation you can give yourself to my respects will be by being In=
strumental in your utmost Endeavrs. of rendring me a good Accot. of my. Tobo.
Upon which the sinews of my Life ^livelihood etc depend. I suppose you are no stranger
to My Letters to Mr. Dawkins To which I shall refer you. Another very
Considerable Article is the well buying of our Goods both as to their Price
and goodness I Esteem my self a ready money Chapman and that the
Mercht. Carrys my money in his Pockets to pay the Tradesman and I am
no stranger of ^to the great difference that ^which the Tradesmen can afford to make
between him that pays his money ready down and where he trusts for a
Twelve month I shall not give you any further Entertainmt. at Present
only to tell you that I am