1793  24 May  St. John  

564. Nathaniel Phillips to Gideon White, in receipt of letter. The War with France has & will effect the Trade of this Country very Materialy: the high premium paid for Insurance of goods is & will be severely felt by the Fish Catchers: & the Exorbitant premium demanded for Insuring Vessels Fishing on our Banks, and the great difficulty in geting Fishermen in England, has induced many Mechanics & others to decling [decline?] prosecuting the Fishery this season, & they have laid up their Vessels in England. I sincerely wish you may be appointed to a Command in this place, if not that you may have a pleasing one in Nova Scotia. Will send some red port wine as soon as he can buy any in Newfoundland. Holograph.

White Family Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 Vol. 950 No. 564