Dear Mr Halpenny,

I acknowledge receipt of your astonishing letter of the 26th instant.

Permit me to to direct your attention to I A 1 of the contract, which states that in joining the Firm, I become a member of the Merchant-Adventurers, with all rights and privileges pertaining thereunto.

These rights and privileges include the ability to trade on my own account, with my own (that is not the firm’s) capital. This right and privilege is secured further by IV B 2, which specifically attests and confirms that it is my right as a junior partner to trade on my own account provided it is not in competition with, or to the detriment of the Firm.

What I have undertaken on behalf of Colonel Hampden, and the work related to the Newsbook, and my efforts to bring to the customers of England wine, lace etc. at a price undistorted by the illegal customs schemes of Charles I is, I maintain now and will do so in a court of Law, “trading for my own account.”