Dunkerque 16. octor. 1781.
Hond. Sir
I beg leave to refer to the letter I had the honour of addressing
your Excellency the 24th. Sepber. last, per which I Sent two
receipts for £.672.—.— paid to Sundry american prisoners, and
advised your Excellency of my draft for £.1530. 3. 9. in favour
of Vandenyver freres & Cie.
A Severe attack of the gout which has kept me confined to my
room for near two months has prevented me Sending Sooner the
following receipts for money I paid to sundry prisonners who arrived
here in distress from England, Vizt.
I take the liberty to inclose a Copy of a letter I received from
the Hble. John Adams Esqr. dated Amsterdam the 19. octor. by
which your Excellency will observe that he does not find it eligible
for the prisonners to be Sent that way, not only because there
is more risk in a passage from thence to america then from
France, but likewise because he has no money in his hands belonging
to the american publick, for the relief of the prisonners.
Thus I shall be under the necessity to Send those who may arrive
here in future, to Paris, unless your Excellency will indicate
me a more eligible way.
I Judge by what M. Adams mentions respecting Wm. Beer
who is the person your Excellency order'd me to pay 10. Louis
d'ors, that this poor man is in greater distress then he was before
he left this place, and that there is nether a chance of a passage
for him with his little familly to america, nor any hopes of getting
employ'd at Amsterdam, as your Excellency will observe by
the enclosed letter I received from him.
I have the honnour to remain very respectfully. Your Excellencys
most obedient & most humble Servant