On receipt of your Letter at Nantes I set out & came here three days since—On my arrival I apply’d to the Commandant of the marine to know whether any thing had been written to him on any subject, or if there were any Vessells soon to sail for North America. He assured me that neither was the Case.

I am apprehensive that I shall remain some time here before an Opportunity offers for our Continent & my stay will be very expensive to the Public: the great number of People arrived in the Fleet from the west Indies and that under Monsr. De La Motte Piquet have accasioned an amazing scarcity of every article of Life—A Bed cost 40 [?] per night, a dinner of the poorest order not less than three Livres and many are often obliged to go without either.

Capt. Truston in the St. James will sail from L’orient by the 15th. Jany. & it is probable he will be the first Ship from france for America—His Excellency will be kind enough as to forward me his orders on this Head, and depend on their being punctually executed—

Nobody here knows any thing about me & I wander to & fro in no very [elegable] Situation.

Yesterday: I was taken up (I suppose) on suspicion of being a Spy & carryed before the Major de Place who on sending to Count Hector’s, heard who I was and immediately discharged me—I am sorry I came from Passy without a Letter to Monsr. Hector & now beg you would procure me one by return of Post—An officers feelings are very much wounded by such Circumstances & I leave you to judge if mine at being taken by a private Centinel off the public walk, must not have suffered exceedingly—

The Major de Place has not acted delicately in the affair, tho’ at the conclusion, with that Politeness which at the same time it offends, carries its excuse—

I have been obliged to take up ten Guineas more from Mr. Williams & for which I have given my rect. I have been as frugal as possible & while at Nantes spent little, but the road & this Place have beggar’d me.

I hope to hear from you by return of Post on all these Subjects and am with very affectionate & respectful Compliments to His Excellency to Mr Chaumont & family Dr Sir Yours sincerely