Translation / modern text
The writer refers to a promise or note involving another person and asks whether money should be lent or advanced. The amount and some names are not reliably legible.
Original wording — transcription
[Opening:] Mr Arthur Forbes.
[Fragments:] […] my last from […] promise concerning […] Ball or two of […] published […] I […] know whether I can […] or not, having to borrow […] […]
[Date/place:] Dublin, [day/year unclear], 30 May [reading tentative].
[Closing:] Your real Friend and Servant, Thomas Cumming.
Reading notes
p. 8 is the letter; p. 9 is the wrapper. The day/month portion of the heading is only partly legible. The inventory card on p. 1 is not used as evidence for the letter date.