My last inform’d you that I had purchased the Duc de Chartres. I have sent a french officer on board to take charge of her and make every preparation for heaving down which I shall order to be done immediately after the post on Tuesday. Mr. Nickels a Townsman of mine has been taken and has escaped hither. He has with him a considerable Sum in Congress paper, which his Captors did not think worth taking from him; with this money in his pocket he was without the means of procuring for himself common necessarys, he therefore made his Case known to me; I told him that the Credit of our money should be supported, and that tho’ it was not the desire of the Commissioners to invite paper money over the Water by taking up all they could find, yet I would venture to supply his necessitys and I accordingly gave him 30 Louis which I exchanged for an equal value in paper without discount. As I esteem this an Act of humanity as well as Justice, I assure myself you will not disapprove of it.
My Letters from L’orient mention that 12000 Livres has been offered for the prize Brig in that place. This Vessell is only 3 years old, upwards of 200 Tons, capable of carrying 14 Guns and by all I can hear is a good sailor. I therefore esteem 12000 Livres much below her price, and I have sent orders to L’orient not to take less than 15,000, intending if nobody will exceed that price to take her at the highest offer on your account. My first object in this is to prevent the Vessell from being sold too cheap, and if she should not fetch the price I have fix’d I think it will be a very advantageous purchase for you; I have not decisively declared I would purchase her because I wish first to have your permission, please therefore to mention whether or not I may take her within the 15000 Livres: If any body offers more I have desired her to be sold without hesitation.
I have this moment recvd. your favour of the 21st Instant and have in consequence opened my Letter to L’orient to desire that the Brig may not be sold on any terms ’till further orders. When the Cutter comes round to me I will dispatch as soon as possible, but I fear the Difficulty will be to get her from St. Malo, as she is now under arrest there, I will however write to Mr. DeSegray to purchase her and make her entirely french then send her to me. My next shall inform you of the price of large anchors which I imagine I shall be able to procure; Cordage is up to 38 Livres, hemp being very scearce. After Tuesday next I shall put 2 large Cables in hand and endeavour to purchase the anchors immediately as it is an article we can’t always command. I wish to have the 100,000 weight of Copper as the Ship must have a great weight in her Bottom to enable her to carry sufficient Sail. The Marquis de la Chalotais Capt. Foligné is just arrived with a good Cargo on Mr. Montieu’s account in 26 Days from Carolina. I have a few newspapers which contain little News but all there is I inclose; the marquis de la Fayette is arrived, and the 19th of May 7000 men passed through Phila. to join Gen. Washington. This is the most important that I can collect therefore can’t think of putting you to the Expence of a Courier, and in order to decrease the Bulk I have cut out all under the american head keeping what remains which is only useless paper.
I have drawn on you this Day as follows Vizt.