From Jonathan Williams, Jr. (unpublished)
Nantes Sept. 10. 1782
I received the Catalogue of the Marquis de la Fayettes Cargo
only last Night—and I now return it with marks and a note on the
other side which I hope may answer your purpose.
I have been very uneasy on account of your Illness but a Letter
from Billy this morning has relieved me, and I hope by the Time
you receive this you will be perfectly recovered. I am as ever
most dutifully and affectionately Yours
Mrs Williams is much better but yet weak. Mumford has the Fever
and Ague—besides I have my man Servant my Wifes maid and my
Bookeeper all sick, with my hands more full of Business than
usual, this must apologise for my brevity. I am as before.
Note.
I have examined the Catalogue of the sale of the Marquis de la
Fayette, and marked Public against those Goods I shipped on the
public Account.
Where I have marked against Totals I mean all to be public,
whether the Detail be marked or not. Such as I think are private
property I have marked not public in the Summary and X in the
Detail.
There were a few Goods shipped on Freight with my Knowledge and
a List was sent to Congress, but as the marks are not preserved I
cannot tell exactly which they are. I believe however they did not
amount to the quantity which appear in the List marked X;
and of the Wine, Salt, Brandy, Cordials Anchovies, Oil, Medicines
Crockery Ware preserved Fruit &c I was kept Ignorant. They were
shipped without my knowledge and Consent except 45 Cases
containing about 2250 Bottles of Claret. So that in these articles
alone the ship had the Bulk of about 125 hhds 60 Cases and 110
Boxes.