From Bernard Dehez
als: American Philosophical Society
<San Sebastián, July 23, 1779, in French: I have the honor of
informing Your Excellency that Capt. Gustavus Conyngham,
in command of the armed privateer La Vengeance (Revenge),
captured the brigantine Le Gracieux, whose French captain,
Manuel Augustin Letournois, sailing from London, had entirely
loaded his ship with British goods, supposedly destined
for Coruña. The prize was brought into this port and the
commandant général of the province [Marquis de Bassecourt]
allowed part of the goods to be sold at auction. During that
time, I rendered essential services to Capt. Conyngham and
his crew. Impatient, he sailed away before the trial had taken
place, without leaving any retainer to provide for its outcome.
The trial dragged on and ended surprisingly in the victory
of the opposing party, whereupon the commandant, in his
search for fairness, referred it to the War Council in Madrid.
Meanwhile, Capt. Conyngham, who had left with me a power
of attorney of which I include a copy, never deigned to answer
the various letters I sent him requesting the funds necessary
for the pursuit of this judicial matter.
In order to protect Conyngham’s interests, and those of
Congress, I entrusted a friend in Madrid with enquiring
quietly into the business; he informed me on July 15 that Conyngham
has no legal representative in Madrid, but that, given
the new ordinance passed by the King of Spain upon his declaration
of war against England, the outcome of the trial is
bound to be favorable, provided legal counsel is in place.
I beg Your Excellency to give instructions to Messrs. Gardoqui
in Bilbao or anybody you choose to provide me with
the financial means to pursue this affair which is bound to
bring a considerable amount of money to Conyngham or to
Congress.
p.s. I am enclosing the text of the ordinance of July 1, to let
you appreciate how much it bolsters Conyngham’s claim.>
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