From G. Anquetil Brutiere
ALS: American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives
<Granville in Normandy, June 7, 1778, in French: Last year I
sent a ship to fish for cod on the Newfoundland Banks. On
Sept. 17 she was boarded from the privateer Bellona out of
Marblehead, Capt. Thomas Stevens, and forced to accept
seven English prisoners who had no food or other necessities.
These extra mouths forced her to return to France after less
than three months on the Banks; otherwise she would have
had more than four, and in that time would have taken 4-5000
cod, worth in France 4-5000 l.t. A young merchant weighed
down by misfortunes, responsible for a large family, with his
ships—or rather those that friends have put in his charge—
lying idle, has a just complaint to put before you. I am confident
that you will repair my loss.>
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