Boston January 5th. 1758 Mr. Barker1 Sr.,

I have at the North Furnace in Bridgwater, a parcel of Short Guns & Cohorns,2 which have never been trimed, & as I understand you do business of that Sort, I should be glad if you would take An Opportunity & look at them & see how many of them are worth doing any thing to. If I think it will quit cost I will get you to dress them, & therefore should be glad as soon as you have passed a Judgment that you would let me know, how many are worth dressing, & what you will take them away & do them for, & prove them likewise (if you ever undertake it). I pray you to let me hear as soon as you can, or I may possibly loose the Sale of them. From yrs. &c.,

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. Caleb Barker at Hannover. By Nathl. Clap Esqr."

1.

Caleb Barker (1685–1772) was a founder connected with the furnace or forge in Hanover. A71 Quaker, he moved to Maine in 1761 (Jedediah Dwelley and John F. Simmons, History of the Town of Hanover, Massachusetts [Hanover, 1910], 20).

2.

A small mortar for throwing grenades (OED).