Barbeu-Dubourg to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Paris, June 18, 1778, in French: If I did not respect your wisdom
I should be astonished at your refusal to enlist all who
want to fight the British. Precautions would have to be taken
to ensure obedience, and this would require official co-operation
in the ports in which the ships outfit and to which
most of them return. The goal is worth the effort. The first
attempt would doubtless bring considerable gain, and would
force the British either to take extraordinary and costly defensive
measures or to cut down their lucrative trade with the
Levant. The chief promoter of the plan is an old associate of a
certain marquis Roux de Corse; the captain of the first xebec
is intrepid, determined, and the best possible man to inspire a
crew.>
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