The Virginia Gazette

Annapolis, March 4, 1737-8.

Mr. Parks,

It is very probable the Gentlemen in Virginia may be as much amused about the great Success of Mr. H----s Plan for purchasing Tobacco for the French in Maryland, as we are of its Success in Virginia; it's best to have the whole Matter publickly discussed and clearly understood: In order to which, the following Paper will be printed at Philadelphia; and if you will be so good as to insert it in your next Gazette, you will much oblige

Your constant Customer.

IT is a very just Observation, that fair Dealers have ever been distinguished by an Openness and Candor, which are the genuine Effects of real Honesty. On the contrary, no Men are more despicable than such as use Craft in their Dealings. This may sometimes answer particular Purposes, and be a Means of acquiring present Advantages; but as it is not founded on true Judgment, commonly ends in Disappointments. The Author of an Article published in the Pennsylvania Gazette, dated from Maryland, January 20, 1737-8, that relates to the Proposal of purchasing Tobacco for the French, appears to act upon these Principles; and I make no Doubt but it will be attended with suitable Success. The End proposed was manifestly to entice Ships from Philadelphia upon the Credit of this Scheme, without the Hazard of actual Chartering: Truth would not answer this End, and therefore Falsehood must supply its Place; in order to beguile our simple plain dealing Neighbours in the Article contained, that the French offer Five Pounds Sterling here for Nine Hundred Pounds of dull Tobacco delivered at the Landing. That this is a better Price than the Planters have had from their Merchants in London; and for a Fletcher, that the Proposal meets with general Approbation: in all which there is not the least Truth. It is indeed true, that the Gentleman employ'd by the French Farmers, has propos'd in a publick Advertisement, to contract with the Planters for their Tobacco, and to pay them for it in London, after it has been carry'd thither at the Risque of the Proprietor, Five Pounds Sterling, for every Hogshead weighing 900 lbs. here; for every Hogshead weighing 800, Four Pounds Four Shillings; and proportionably for a Hogshead of 700: But this can with no greater Propriety be called an Offer to purchase it in the Country, than if the Contract had been opened in Constantinople, Oczakore, or Iabau. Neither is it true, that the Price proposed is better than the Planters have commonly had from their Merchants in London: For even at the French Price in London, a Hogshead of the foresmentioned Weight has never fail'd to produce the Price offer'd here. And whereas the French have always taken off the vilest of our Tobacco, they now propose to get a better Sort, and which has always sold for a better Price than the French have ever given. Lastly, it's said the Scheme meets with general Approbation, which is far from being the Case, that it is every where treated with Contempt. I am confident, the Gentleman who is at the Head of this Project, has met with no other Marks of this boasted Approbation, than mere personal Civility to himself as a Stranger. He knows very well that the People dislike the Price offer'd; are afraid of French Schemes in general; and they have particular Scruples about the Security of their Money, in Case they like the Price: Besides all this, the Gentleman has declar'd he can contract but for One Year; and can it be suppos'd the People will alter the Channel of their Trade, disappoint their Correspondents (of whom the vilest Impressions
have been attempted to be given) who send their Ships on Purpose for their Tobacco, and accept the lowest Price from the French for One Year only, and that at Time when the present short Crops afford them a much better Prospect. In short, the Project has hitherto met with no Countenance or Encouragement from any considerable Person in the Province; and the only Men who appear solicitous for the Execution of it, are a few who are induc'd by the Expectation of being either Agents, Factors, or some other Officers under the French Commission.

To conclude, if any Person concern'd is dissatisfied with this Account of the Affair, and thinks proper to call upon me in a publick Manner to make it good, I will immediately unmask and be at his Service: Till then, it is presumed the Gentlemen of Philadelphia who want Freight for their Ships, will know how to employ them better than to send them here upon the Credit of this Chimerical Scheme.

I am Yours,

John Dole.