Captain P. Landais formerly a Commander in the Naval Service of the United States and now here, claims the Sum of twelve thousand Livres Tournois as a gratuity for his Services in conducting the Ship Flammand Laden with military and other Stores on Public Account from France to Portsmouth in new Hampshire all his other Accounts have been examined in the regular course of the Public Offices and the Balance due to him exclusive of this claim is ascertained.

On searching the Journals of Congress I find under the 9th. May 1778 Captain Landais is commended for his Zeal and Activity in performing the above mentioned Service and it was then Resolved that a Sum of Money should be paid to Mr. Landais and the Marine Committee directed to Report a pecuniary Consideration adequate to his Services. He was then also appointed a Captain in the Navy.

June 19th. 1778 He was appointed to Command the Alliance Frigate. March 6. 1779. The marine Committee reported that a Gratuity of twelve thousand Livres Tournois should be allowed to Captain Landais for his Services in transporting the military Stores to America, which Report was agreed to and a Bill for that Sum ordered to be drawn upon France and on this Date the said Sum is charged as paid in the Treasury Books. But it is supposed that entry was made in Consequence of the Resolution of the 6th. and not because the Bills had actually been drawn and delivered for we cannot find any traces of such Bills being drawn at that Time, and on the 27th. March 1778 I find that upon a Motion made by J. Adams seconded by Mr. Duane it was resolved, that a Bill be drawn in favor of Captain Landais on the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of France and that the Bill be drawn at 90 Days sight. After which nothing more appears on this Subject either on the Journals of Congress or in the Books of the Marine or any other Committee therefore it is supposed that the Bill was neither drawn nor delivered especially as Mr. Landais says he was in France in March 1779. and that he never received such Bill nor did any other Person for him.

You have now a full and fair State of this matter and you best can ascertain whether such a Bill has ever been presented to or paid by you. I therefore give this Letter to Monsr. Landais that he may apply and if you find the Sum of twelve Thousand Livres Tournois has not yet been paid by you or by your Order to him or to any other Person on his behalf You will in that Case be pleased to consider Capt. Landais as entitled to receive from the United States in Consequence of the Act of Congress of the 6th. March 1779. the Sum of twelve Thousand Livres Tournois as a Reward for the Services already mentioned and as it was unquestionably the Intention of Congress to have that Bill transmitted immediately after those Resolutions in March 1779. I think Captain Landais is also entitled to Interest on the £12.000 from the Time when it ought to have been paid to him until the Time when it shall be discharged. I suppose if the Bill had been transmitted at that Time, being ordered at 90 Days sight it would have been six Months from the 17th. March 1779 before it would have fallen due if so that will fix the point when Interest should commence.

I hope when you receive this Letter you will have this matter carefully examined and if you find that the Money has not been paid, that you will Settle and discharge the same transmitting me duplicates of Captain Landais receipts whereby to cause the proper Entries to be made in the Treasury Books. I have the Honor to be Sir your Excellency’s most obedient and humble Servant