Sir:
Understanding that your Excellency and the Council are impowered by the Legislature to dispose of the Tobacco purchased for the State, I beg the permission to request the favor of you to inform me, whether it is determined what the lowest price for it will be, and what the mode of payment.
My reason for troubling you with this enquiry is that I am Commissioned by a House of unquestionable fidelity in London to purchase a considerable quantity of tobacco with bills at sixty and ninety days sight, & having a vessel just arrived which is to take a Cargo for that Port, it would be particularly convenient for me to execute it at this time. I am aware, Sir, that in case of our coming to an agreement respecting the two essential particulars of price and Mode of payment, still that there will be another condition indispensably necessary to be complied with on my part, vizt., the giving satisfactory security. This I hope to be able to do and it will be requisite that I should be informed after what manner it is to be done.
Requesting your Excellency will do me the Honor to reply to the foregoing with all convenient dispatch, I beg leave to subscribe myself,