Translation / modern text
The letter concerns a joint commercial venture and a loss after the writer advanced his own money. He mentions dividing goods, probably wine, and a planned meeting. The agreement’s details cannot be reconstructed.
Original wording — transcription
[Opening:] Mr Arthur Forbes.
[Fragments:] […] I intended to have conferred with you […] but was necessitated to come from thence […] and now must go […] to divide the portion […] which I have with him in company […] I have great loss and wrong […] my ready money […] for the […] […] a better price and more payment […]
[Date:] […] 12 April? [place/year unclear].
[Closing:] Your […] Friend and Servant, Thomas Cumming.
Reading notes
p. 4 heading has a partly legible date/place; p. 5 is the wrapper. The inventory card on p. 1 is not used as evidence for the letter date.