Philadelphia Octobr 5th 1779
Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure of yours of the 30th Ulto. Inclosed you have the papers & a Second Essay on Trade & Finance: it is wrote by a Mr. Webster of this Town and I think contains many observations worthy the particular attention of the several Legislatures.1 No accounts from the southward since my last, every day expected and to hear of the French Fleet being off N York - a very large Embarcation was taking place there said to be for the Southward Commanded by Lord Cornwalles but now expected to be stopt. The bad effects of the Committees in this Town has been experienced yesterday by a very daring & violent Insurrection & Mob, in which several Persons were Killed & wounded before they were quelled, many are made Prisoners, this morning they are collecting at Germantown and there is no judging how this unhappy affair may end. The amazing rise of every article in this place is truly allarming, Flour at £60 Per Ct, Rum £20 Per Gall
Adieu & be asshured that I ever am, My Dear Sir, Yours Sincerely,
James Forbes
Receiverâs copy, Lee, Horsey, and Carroll Papers deposit (1985), Maryland Historical Society.
1 Pelatiah Websterâs Second Essay on Free Trade and Finance (Philadelphia: Thomas Bradford, 1779). See Evans, Am. Bibliography, no. 16,671.