Philadelphia, 7 May, 1777.
We have no news here except what we get from your country. The
privateers act with great spirit, and are blessed with remarkable
success. Some merchant ships are arrived this week from Maryland. They
were first chased by men-of-war in attempting to get into Chesapeake
Bay. They ran from them and attempted Delaware Bay. There they were
chased again, whereupon they again shifted their course for Chesapeake,
and got in safe, in spite of all the men-of-war could do. Thus, you see,
we can and will have trade in spite of them, and this trade will
probably increase fast. It requires time for the stream of commerce to
alter its channel. Time is necessary for our merchants and foreign
merchants to think, plan, and correspond with each other. Time, also, is
necessary for our masters of vessels and mariners to become familiar
with the coasts, forts, and harbors of foreign countries, and a longer
time still is needful for French, Spanish, and Dutch masters and
mariners to learn our coasts and harbors.
Yours ever, ever yours.