Gentlemen,

Immediately on Receipt of your Letter of the 14th Instant, inclosing Copy of one from Mr. Barcley to you, I ordered a fresh Search to be made for the Papers you require respecting the Vouchers of Mr. Ross’s Accounts deposited in my Office when in France; and after the most careful and diligent Examination nothing of the kind is found in my Possession. When I was about to leave that Kingdom I ordered all Papers relating to the Publick Accounts, and every thing deposited with me as Consul, (I having acted in that Capacity before Mr. Barclay’s Arrival) to be put into his Hands; which was done. I cannot therefore but be of Opinion, that tho’ he may not have taken Notice of those Vouchers, nothing having required his adverting to them, yet they will be found with the other Papers of his Office when they shall arrive in America. I have however enquired of Mr. Ross whether he cannot supply the Deficiency, who informs me that he has an authenticated Copy which he is ready to produce if necessary; but as he sent four similar Copies by four different Ships, all of which arrived safe and delivered their respective Cargo’s of the Goods to the Commercial Committee, he is confident some of those Copies must still exist, and may be found among the Papers of that Committee. I have the honour to be, with great Regard, Gentlemen, Your most obedient and most humble Servant