Transmits Mr. Peck's conditions under which he will agree to build a ship. Notes that he [Parkman] and Knox are to consider if twill be for Mr [Samuel] Shaws Intrest to employ Mr Peck.

Discusses a financial matter involving Samuel Shaw, Samuel Ogden, Nicholas Hoffman, and Eli Hayden. Notes, It is supposed our friend has agreed for a pretty high price for the ship.

Signature is clipped. Creator indicated in docket. Discusses the arrival of the brig Columbia from Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China). On board the ship, there is property from [Samuel] Shaw to be Improved in Building a Ship... The ship is to be built under the direction of Mr. Peck. Awaits letters from Samuel Ogden before he shall proceed with business regarding the ship's supercargo, Eli Hayden. Encloses Shaw's draft on Ogden, writing I am under the Necessity of giving this Trouble, as so large a Bill will not readily sell.

Encloses two letters from [Samuel] Shaw (not present) which just arrived from Canton, China. Indicates one of the letters is for Parkman, and the other for Mr. Peck. Discusses a business transaction: ...Mr Eli Hayden the supercargo of the above vessell has contracted with Major Shaw to build a ship according to Mr Pecks directions & that he has remitted a certain proportion of the funds for this purpose on respondenture on the above Vessell consigned to the said Eli Hayden. Shaw enclosed Hayden's bonds for Samuel Ogden, assuming he lived in New York. Expects Ogden, (now located at Delaware Works in Morrisville, Pennsylvania near Trenton, New Jersey), or his power of attorney to arrive in New York to resolve the issue. Sends his compliments to Mrs. Shaw.

Discusses business related to the arrival of a brig from China. Mentions Samuel Shaw, Eli Hayden, and Samuel Ogden.

Discusses business related to Samuel Shaw and Messrs. [Nicholas] Hoffman and [Son] and Shaw's upcoming China trip on the Jay. Notes the Hoffman's will be informing Parkman of their situation concerning Shaw. They are willing to advance Parkman, on honor, [dollar sign] 2000. If the Jay arrives they will replace him the other [dollar sign] 2000 that way if the Jay is lost Parkman only has to wait for the insurance to be recovered. In the worst case scenario, and the Jay is lost Messrs. Hoffman and Son will lay out [dollar sign] 6000. Continues discussing payments made by Parkman and other financial matters related to the China trip. Docketed by Knox.

Informs Knox that he has written to Daniel Parker and encloses the letter so Knox can read it (not present). Concerns financial matters related to obtaining insurance on the ship Massachusetts and involves Samuel Parkman, Daniel Parker, and Messrs Hoffman.