Vergennes to the American Commissioners
L (draft): Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copies: Library
of Congress, National Archives
<Versailles, February 6, 1779, in French: I have communicated
to M. de Sartine your letter of January 24. He has replied that
it is not possible to provide special escort beyond the Azores
for ships bound to North America, but that they will be escorted
along with French ships far enough to put them out of
most danger from privateers. Those vessels being prepared
for America at Nantes will be escorted to the Ile d’Aix this
month, and then if they wish to accompany the French convoy
for the West Indies they will be escorted beyond the Capes.>
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