Brown & Ives Esqrs.
at Providence

Sirs,                                                                St Petersburg the 14th Decem 1798

   We had the honor to waite upon you last the 12th of last month and with a full detail of our market, to which beg leave to refer. Having now a full winter and business of this season begins to come into motion, we again take the liberty of paying you our respects.
   Inclosed you will find the list of the general exports from hence this year wherein you will observe particularly, those for the sons & ships of your United States and of Great Britain; we sincerely wish it may be of service in your speculations.
   Since we waited upon you last, more of the very best of old sable gron? has been bought; as the very best of old sable gron? at 235^CU and new sable at 210^CU per )
NOTE: Russian money in use during this era was the Ruble and the Kopek. 100 Kopeks equaled 1 Ruble. In this letter the St. Petersburg factor uses the abbreviations ^CU and R^U, The R^U obviously stands for ruble, but I'm not sure what the ^CU stands for. I don't believe that it stands for the Kopek as that would mean Sable was selling for only 2.35 rubles.
   The greatest life at present in trade, is with clean hemp; the price of it is drove up amazingly and in all appearance will get still higher, all on around the Braek?, which is to be next season on the Riga Fasting. I hear hemp on the spot is bought already at R^U42 & 43 money down; on contract given R^U43 with hard beforehand at which latter price yet purchases, but no sellers; if it continues this way, we shall not be surprised to see the price drove up to R^U50 - which most of the sellers are expecting.
   In Outshott? Wharf clean hemp nothing passed yet, nor anything in Flax. As sailcloth, other manufactory goods and linens are only bought to market in January & February, nothing projective can be said of their prices. Middling Round Wik? has however been contracted at R^U20 - good middling at R^U13^1/2 & 14, middling flens? at R^U20  - good middling at R^U21 & 21^1/2 with all the money down. On the spot yellow candle tallow stands R^U62 and soap tallow R^U56 & 57 per Birk²? on contract yellow candle tallow has been bought at R^U58 & 59 all money & at R^U63 with part down; while at R^U55 and 56 all money & at R^U59 with part beforehand. Soap tallow at R^U55 & 56 the whole and at R^U59 part advance. & Pott? Ashes? seems in advance  - Say demand on the spot paid already R^U5.10^CU and contracted at 525^CU & 530^CU with part beforehand. Hempseed oil on contract is 360^CU with part advance. In all other goods, nothing passed and no real prices to be noted. 
   We beg leave to recommend ourselves and so repeat our tender of services in this place, not doubting to give you in every respect the fullest satisfaction and your investment of ours.