Gentlemen at Nantes to the American
Commissioners
LS: American Philosophical Society
<Nantes, December 15, 1778: We have received yours of the
5th enclosing copies of your letters of November 11 and 27;
the original of the first had never arrived. We are grateful for
your efforts respecting a convoy. The letter from the Minister
of the Marine indicates he cannot provide an escort beyond
Cape Finisterre. A convoy that goes only that far is not worth
our attention, and until we received yours of the 27th we had
given up thoughts of renewing our application. We now hope
that it is in your power to procure a convoy at least to the west
of the western islands [Azores]. Many vessels have been ready
since the end of last month. We hope you will do all in your
power to procure a convoy by which Americans can be supplied
with goods and many of us can return home.>
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