Francis Coffyn to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Dunkirk, June 18, 1778: I received your letter of the 10th to
all captains bound for America, and am communicating it to
two such captains here; they will sail in late June and early
July. You may wish to send further intelligence by them, and I
will, if you approve, send any that I get from England.
Forty-five sail westward bound, some large men of war,
were reported off Portland last Monday.
One of the seamen mentioned in my last is anxious to join
an American warship or privateer. Three other Americans
have arrived from a whaling voyage in the South Seas, and
want your protection. If they are not taken care of I fear they
will be welcomed in England, where the government is trying
to encourage whaling. Tell me what to do about these four;
one has no money, and the others barely enough to live till I
hear from you.
James Bearns has nearly recovered from his wound received
on the Lexington, and I am paying his passage to Brest. When
I have your authorization I will also pay the surgeons.>
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