I received yours by the Count de Vauban, and I send by him my Public Dispatches, requesting you to sink them if necessary. I am glad you are so near ready for sailing. I return all the Papers that were enclosed in yours, and send Copies of some others which perhaps may be of use to you in your future affair with Landais. Depend upon it I never wrote to Mr. Gillon that the Bonhomme Richard was a Privateer. I could not write so, because I never had Such a Thought. I will next Post send you a Copy of my Letter to him; by which you will see, that he has only forced that Construction from a vague Expression I used merely to conceal from him, (in answering his idle demand that I would order your Squadron, then on the Point of Sailing, to go with him to Carolina) that the Expedition was at the Expence and under the Direction of the King, which it was not proper or necessary for him to know. The Expression I used was that the Concerned had destined the Squadron for another Service. These Words, the Concerned, he & the Counsellor, have interpreted to mean the Owners of a Privateer. I shall send per Post some private Letters for my american Friends, for which I had not time by your Express. If you Should be Still at L'Orient when they come, it is well; but do not wait a Moment for them if you are ready to sail & the Wind Serves. Adieu. I wish you a prosperous Voyage, a happy Sight of your Friends and Country, and that you may be receiv'd with all the Honour you have so justly merited. I am ever, Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant