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The warr which was expected to be declared soon after the notification made by the Counts of Noailles to the British Court of the Treaty concluded between France & America having not yet taken place, this keeps in suspence Several Merchants who were inclined to fit out privateers to annoy the Trade of the common Enemy, but as no French Commissions can be granted before the declaration of warr, I know that some of these Merchants would be glad to obtain Commissions from Congress to fit out their vessells under the coullors of the united states, provided it should be allow’d to bring the prizes into the French ports. I take the liberty to request your opinion on these two points wether such Commissions can be granted by Hble. Commissioners, and wether the prizes taken in virtue of the same, could be brought into the ports of this kingdom, and sol’d for the Captors. As it may happen thus some Privateers should push into the German Ocean this summer, and send their prizes to this port, I beg you would illucidate this matter in order to regulate my conduct accordingly as in case by some political views which I can not [fenctuate?] the same order which was given some time ago that the privateers and prizes should not be allow’d to stay longer than 24 hours, should still subsist, I might take such prudent steps as the circumstances may require. This leads me to an overture made to me by Capn. Christopher Fesson of Rush in Ireland, a noted smuggler on that coast which uses this port he is now here with a Cutter that carrys 12. three pounders, he seems to be an attach’d friend to the American cause, as most of his Countrymen are, who given under the oppression of the British Ministry. This man in the course of a converstion I had with him, gave me to understand that if he could obtain a Commission from the Congress, he would undertake to cut out of Dublin harbour one of the rich Linnen ships which load there four times a year for Exeter or London and bring her to a port in France if he was allow’d to do it. He gives me very plausible reasons to believe that his scheme could be put in execution and attended with success for he says that every voyage he makes to Ireland when he has loaded his goods he goes up with his vessell to the town of Dublin, and nobody takes any notice of him so that he would never be suspected, he would stay there till the Linnen ship is loaded and her sails bent, and the night before her intended departure when the people onboard were asleep, he would board her, cut her cables and carry her off without any further ceremony, even the people on shore should know nothing about the matter. This Captain is a very bold resolute man, he has had several engagements with the Custom House Cutters, and always bet them off. He says that he would be satisfy’d with a third part of the value of the prize provided his vessell was insured to him. He has another Cutter building at Plymouth burthen 150 Tons, which will carry 14 four pounders but she can not be got ready before two months hence. I have not given him any encouragement before I know your sentiments on the matter, but I have communicated his scheme to M. Caillier of this place a particular friend of Mr. Dechaumont with whom I have contracted a partnership in case of a warr; this Gentleman has given the hint yesterday to M. Deachaumont, with whom you may consent the necessary measures to have it put in execution if you think it proper.

I am prompted to give you communication of this scheme by a real desire I have to serve the cause you have so gloriously deffended, and in order to merit the confidence you have been pleased to place in me.

With an unexpressible pleasure I have received an account from Bordeaux of the safe arrival there of the Hbl. Mr. Adams, whose confidence I shall equally be desirous of meritting during his stay in this kingdom, hoping that you will be pleased to recommend me to this Gentleman, and to the other Hble. members of the Congress for anything they may have to humour at this place. In a Memoire I formerly sent to Mr. Carmichael I have shewn the advantages this free port offers to the American Trade of which I will gladly send you a Copy if you think it can be of any Service; interim I have the honnor to remain very respectfully Hond. Sir Your most obed. and most devoted Humble Servant