The American Commissioners to Sartine
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives
<Passy, October 12[-15], 1778: We received your letter of the
7th. We believe the article in the commercial treaty applies
clearly, strictly and fully to Mr. Izard’s case. The goods were
shipped last April, when two months had not elapsed from the
declaration of war. Mr. Izard assures us that his name is in
many of the books and a great number of papers. He can
procure additional testimony that the property is his. We
understand that the captors have been granted the whole of it
and while we wish them to enjoy the profits of their prizes,
they must be aware that these goods belong to a friend and
are not the King’s to grant.
We beg leave to raise another subject. There are on board
the Fox and Lively a number of American sailors serving
against their will. We ask that a list be made of them and that
they be delivered to us. We are desirous of attracting back as
many American sailors as possible to their country. October
15: Since we wrote the foregoing we have received letters
from four American sailors from the Fox, now prisoners in
Dinan castle, asking for their release.>
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