I have had the honor of receiving your Letter of the 7th of
July and am sorry that you have not had an opportunity of
yet applying to the Minister on the subject of Mr. Hodges
vessel. The bond required was to give security here that the
vessel should not cruise against the English. The Expressions
of the Ministers letters were so vague and General that the
Officers here were obliged to write up to court for an Explanation
of the Ministers intentions. So that untill answers to
those letters arrive things must remain in Statu quo to the
great cost and risque of the Owner. I wrote you that five English
cruisers are now imployd to watch her motions, three of
which are in this road. Were it not that it will be disagreable
probably to the Court of France to have its Ports thus blockd
up, I would advise you to buy this vessel from the owners
and apply it merely to the purpose of giving business to the
English Commissary here and of detaining so many English
vessels in the Neighbourhood of this Port, instead of cruizing
against our trade. At all events an Individual cannot afford to
be at the expence, So that if orders should not be expedited
before this reaches you, I must again repeat our request that
you would pray the Ministry to be so explicit in their orders
that nothing may create longer delay. Mr. Hodge will be oblig’d
again to take back his property as he sold her without
informing the owner of the peculiarity of her situation. As
you Expressed a desire to have a copy of the Letter wrote by
the Compte de Maurepas to Parker Forth, I have been at some
pains to obtain the general purport of it, which translated is as
follows:
I am not surprized that the effects of his Lordships illness
and the variety of business in which he is involved should
plead as his excuse for not writing. The capture of the Packett
boat, must I dare say have made a great noise with you.
The affair is very simple, the vessel which took her was
cleared out as a smuggler. Not one of the Crew were French.
The manner of Clearance and the precautions taken with
respect to the Crew will account for the Secrecy with which
the plan was carried on. Every method hath been taken to
come at the bottom of the affair and to procure the necessary
reparation. The Paquet shall be restord, the desire of
continuing the peace Cannot be expressed by his Lordship
with more fervor than it is wishd by me. I shall always think
myself happy to display these sentiments as well as the regard
with which I am &c. &c.
As you know the manner in which I obtaind this, and that it
is often impossible to have opportunity to copy altho’ one
may have time to read such things, The not being able to
produce the original or a litteral copy is a circumstance of no
great moment. If you think it of any consequence I can obtain
you the history of this mans intrigues. By which at least the
French Minister may see, what a low lifd animal they honor
with their notice. I have been very unwell ever since my arrival,
but hope a change of weather will recruit me. The Merchants
here are alarmed at the Captures made by the English.
If the Ministry would communicate to the Chambers of Commerce
their intentions of reclaiming their vessels and of protecting
their trade, it would remove their apprehensions and
increase the Number of Adventures to our part of the World.
Mr. Hodge is obligd to apply to you for a credit, as his Expedition
has been attended with such additional Expence Occasioned
by the delay, that he tells me his funds are quite Exhausted.
I beg my Compliments to Dr. Bancroft and Mr.
Franklin and am Gentlemen your Most Obedient humble
Servant.
The Luggar is made French property & is ready to be sent
round to Nantes Whenever Mr. Hodge shall receive your orders.
Since writing the preceding I find that we shall have no
farther delay in getting out this vessel, Which we shall set
about with as much Expedition as possible.