Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795 to Mr. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

Letter signed as Montgomery, Sealy, and Co. Discusses their business accounts dealing with wine and brandy shipments to and from Portugal in the first part of the letter. States that they will only send letters by packet boat as other ships are not safe. He describes what has occurred in the Revolutionary War recently, and informs that the British under Admiral Samuel Barrington and General James Grant have captured the island of St. Lucia (December 12-28, 1778), which French Admiral Valerie d'Estaing failed to counteract. The French troops suffered heavy losses. He states that there is great dissention in the Continental Congress and problems are arising between France and the colonies. He reports that the colonies' money is losing value and that they may not be able to hold out too much longer. He mentions that British Admiral Augustus Keppel has been acquitted of charges against him. He details a list of goods and costs at the end of the letter. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston were merchants from Madeira.