Titus Ogden to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Lorient, [after] July [6], 1778: On arrival at the beginning of
April I consigned my ship and cargo to Mr. Moylan, who
showed me his authorization as your agent, and I conceived
the highest opinion of his abilities. When the Boston and her
prizes appeared, I was astonished to have a foreigner, Mr.
Puchelberg, who speaks no English and is little known here,
claim to be agent by Mr. Schweighauser’s appointment. He
offered to make purchases for me; I enclose his bill to show
that he knows how to charge. I should be glad for my country’s
sake if trust were put in a man of Mr. Moylan’s character;
we Americans are better served by a compatriot than by one
who understands neither our language nor our ways.>
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