Ralph Izard to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Paris, October 10, 1778: Mr. Sartine’s letter to you of the 7th,
in which I am referred to the courts to recover my baggage,
has just reached me. I disagree, since my claim is founded on
an article of the treaty guaranteeing the return of American
goods without delay and on demand. I am the more surprised
as the minister, well aware that my name was not on the bill
of lading, promised a few days ago that my goods would be
restored. I don’t know what proofs are necessary; my name
appears in many of the books and on a great number of papers.
This should be sufficient proof, without the trouble and
expense of a lawsuit. If necessary, I can procure the testimony
of the merchant who shipped my baggage, the merchant in
Leghorn and the abbé Niccoli. I fear the goods will be sold
and urge you to speak to the minister about the matter when
you go to Versailles tomorrow.>
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