I send you, Monsieur, a brave sailor who was recommended to us by one of our close friends, Mr. du Santoy. Serving on board the Aigle, a brand new ship ready to sail, he has done a great deal of harm to the English, and hopes to do them even more. But he wants to work for himself; and he prefers joining the crew of a corsair, to the honor of serving in the Royal navy. To be exempted from this honor, he would need the writ of an officer in the service of the United States of which he is a friend, since he wishes death to their enemies; and he believes his request is all the more simple as he is not a subject of the King of France. We hope that Mr. your father would be willing to do whatever he believes to be possible in this matter: we can assure him that he will not have acted imprudently or for a man who is unworthy of the effort in any respect.

I salute you, Monsieur, and I offer my respect to Mr. your father