I ought to begin my request by asking pardon for troubling you—but I trust you will be pleased to pardon me when you are rightly informed of my case.
In October 1778 there was a Large number of French Prisoners released from confinement at New York, and landed at this place in order to be sent to Boston—they were in the most distressed circumstances that you can easily imagine—the greater part very sick, and in want of every comfort and necessary of Life—Monsr. Testas de Gassia who had the care of those prisoners Applied to me to supply them with what necessaries they wanted and to help them on to Boston as soon as they were able—I told the Gentleman I was not willing to advance so much money and take his promise of payment—he order’d Mr. Holker the Consul of France who was then in Boston upon which I immediately received a letter from Mr. Holker dated Octr. 6th. 1778—which I Inclose earnestly requesting me to supply those men with the necessaries they wanted and that I should be repaid with Honour.
I had conceived so high an esteem of the Honour and Generosity of his Most Christian Majesty that I thought I might safely trust the honour of one of his principal Servants in the Civil Department in this Country—I accordingly advance money for the purchase of the necessaries for the poor sick and dying men and furnished Teams and horses for those that Survived, as fast as they were able to go to convey them to Boston where they were orderd—I advanced all the money I had and even Straightned my circumstances to accomplish it in full Expectation of being generously repaid by Mr. Holker as he had promised—he was selling Bills on France at four for one—I expected and intended to take Bills in pay as I wanted to make Remittance for goods, but before I could get through with the Advances and make out my Account—I receiv’d the other letter from Mr. Holker which I inclose dated Decr. 4th. 1778—desiring me to send my Account to him at Philadelphia for payment—accordingly as soon as I had finished the Accounts I sent the same to Philadelphia for payment. Mr. Holker declined paying it and refer’d me to a Mr. Bell in Boston to settle it—I was much disappointed—however I sent to Mr. Bell at Boston in hopes of being paid agreable to Mr. Holkers promise but I was put of[f] there with very Little encouragement of ever being paid—as I had advanced all my little stock of money in Trade, I was in distress for the want of it—I still continued to make application for payment until June 1779. Mr. Bell Offord to pay the nominal sum in Continental money, the money was not worth but one third the sum which I advanced as Bills were then selling for 12 for one—I did not know of any measure to take to oblige Mr. Holker to make me Satisfaction and did fear I might Loose the whole, which my circumstances would not allow. I was advised to take what I could get then, in expectation that I might in after time have Justice done me—therefore I received the nominal sum which I Advanced and gave receipt in full—I have since the peace been advised to apply to the Minister of France at Philadelphia—I have accordingly made application to him by my Attorney as per Petition dated May 4th 1784 in full expectation of having redress—the Petition I inclose and the ministers answer to the same of the 12th. June to which I would refer you
if I had made a profit in selling Goods to the French Prisoners, or if I was able to loose so much money—I would not Trouble any Body about the matter—but Sir that is not the case—it was money, and money only that I Advanced—before the War I was in good Circumstances—I have been largely in advances in Supplies and money to the Public to carry on the War—whereby I have been a great looser—together with large Losses by navigation which renders my circumstances low and difficult to continue my Business so as to support a growing Family. I have taken (therefore) the Liberty to intreat and Beseach your Interest and Attention in my Behalf at the Court of France. The French Nation have had my money for the support of their Troops—and I do not think that his Christian Majesty wishes to support his Troops at my Expence when his own Abilities are abundantly sufficient—you will observe by the Copy of my Account the amount which would have purchased me £600 in Bills of Exchange at the Rate which Mr. Holker was selling when I Advanced the money—when I Received the money of Mr. Bell it would not Buy me but about £200 in Bills—so that it is plain that the King of France did not pay but only one third of my Account in real money—the other two thirds is still due to me—at the foot of the Account I have stated the same in Lawful Money by the scale of Congress dollars at 6s. Each and the Interest to June 1784: which leaves a Ballance due to me of £414 6s.
I only want my Just due—Mr. Holker is not willing to make me satisfaction because I cannot demand it in Law—I am sorry that any Gentleman is so void of common Honesty as only to be willing to pay a Just debt when the Law will force him to do it—my demand appears to me so Just that I cannot think but it will appear so to every candid mind—and I have no doubt but his Most Christian Majesty will readily do me Justice though I cannot get it of his servant—your Interest and Influence at the Court of France is so Great that you have obtained many unmerited favours for this Country—therefore I have no doubt but your generous Disposition will extend to the releif of the Oppressed, and that you will be pleased to interpose in behalf of one of your Injured Countrymen—I need not pretend to give you any instruction—the matter speaks for itself your wisdom will direct you to such Measures as will be proper in the case—I only want and ask for my Just due—which I cannot be willing to think will be denied me—I am with the Greatest Esteem and respect Your Honour Most Obedient Humble Servant