I return you my thanks for the Papers inclosed in your favor of 17th tho the Copy of Mr. de Castries Letter cannot be read, the impression is so faint; I am sorry I have given you and your venerable Father so much trouble, I have wrote to him this day, and tho I would not mention it to him, I do assure you that I have been till this evening in no very agreable Position. With much difficulty I got a promise of a Pass for Capt. Smedley to go to L’orient, he has been waiting here a long time by the ministers desire for a Passage—none is likely to be had, he therefore means to embark in the St.James and when I this afternoon told Mr. Langeron that I would give my word of Honor who he was, he among other things told me that, as Mr. Hector has received no account from Court of me, that he did not know what to think of it. You may rest assured that it is the Ton at Brest to dispise every thing American and I have been told that a General Officer in this Place has given us the obliging Epithet of Couards and Rebels. I would not in any account say this to any other Man than yourself. However I have now done with them and shall sett out for L’orient tomorrow morning.

As to Mr. Laseres Letter I have only to say, that I paid for the hire of the Chèse at Bayonne. I left it with the Letter of address given on these occasions, in Care of my Landlord at the Hotel D’angleterre at Bordeaux who promised to transmit it for me to its direction. Every thing in it and belonging to it was in good order and if he has not kept his word I am sorry for it, but cannot with Justice be blamed, I was going Express, had no time to loose, had rode 400 miles, was tired and wished to push on; I meant not to injure Mr. Lasere or any other Person and this on the word of Honor of a Gentleman and an Officer. If this Affair is spoken of, I pray you would take my Part on the occasion; I would not deserve Censure if it comes without meriting. I shall beg you again to represent this affair in its proper colors.

Be so good as to inform me if Count William de Deux Ponts is arrived at Paris that I may send back his Letter and please to present me with much Respect to the Ladies of that worthy family.

Mr. Bersole, the director of the Port and a very honest Man with much friendship for our Country, has desired me to request you would put him in a way to get a copying Press with a sufficient quantity of paper. He will be much oblig’d to you. I hope to hear from you on my arrival at Lorient and am Dear Sir with great Sincerity yours