The American Commissioners to Schweighauser
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two)
<Passy, November 4, 1778: We have at last seen M. Bersolle’s
accounts. According to the resolutions of Congress, all captured
vessels of war belong to the officers and crew, who in
fact receive a bounty for every man and gun on board. Congress
never intended to be accountable for further expense on
account of these prizes.
Every article of these accounts which relates to the Drake,
therefore, must be charged to Capt. Jones and come from the
proceeds of her sale. Supplies for the Ranger‘s men must come
from themselves; their share of prize money from the Drake,
the Lord Chatham, and other prizes should be sufficient to
cover the costs. Since the Lord Chatham belongs half to the
public and half to the captors, the United States should pay
half her expenses. We agree also to pay, at the expense of the
United States, all munitions and repairs to the Ranger, the
feeding of her crew, and the living expenses of the prisoners
once put ashore.
We received your letter of October 29. We advised you on
the 27th to proceed against M. Du Doyer. We are glad that
Mr. Williams has delivered the items, and we approve your
receipt. You have our permission to draw bills on us. Supply
“that poor fellow Barns” with necessaries and send him home,
but give him no money as “he has not discretion to use it.”
You may employ prisoners. Ask Capt. Bell and the other
American captains for our dispatches; we have heard nothing
as yet from Congress, and fear something has happened to
their communications.>
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