From Jean-Etienne de Chezaulx
als: National Archives; press copy: Library of Congress
<Bergen, April 11, 1780, in French: I have received both of your
letters of February 21st and am extremely grateful for them. I
wish I could have done more to serve American interests, but my
efforts were not totally fruitless since the Danish government has
agreed to bear all expenses incurred by your people here, both
before the restitution of the prizes and since then. The needs
of the crews have been more than fully met. M. Danckert D.
Krohn, a man of goodwill, who advanced the necessary monies,
has been reimbursed. Your sailors who currently have no ship
will sail for Dunkirk next Thursday on the chartered Danish ship
Fortune, weather permitting. The prize captains—whose conduct
has been exemplary—have received money from the government
for extraordinary expenses. The local governor, M.
Bager, has shown them much kindness, so that all ended well and
the only unresolved point is how much damage you will obtain
from the Danish court. I hope Congress will be satisfied.
The Governor Johnson, a merchant ship of yours loaded with
Virginia tobacco, entered this port on March 4. I had its captain,
Michel Baudee, raise the French flag in order to obtain the same
privileges as French shipping and he obtained permission to sell
his cargo. I reported my actions to Naval Minister Sartine and
Ambassador La Houze. I have asked M. Krohn to act as its commissary,
under my guidance. p.s. Enclosed is a letter from your
officers.>
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