Desirous and ambitious of rendering our Selves usefull and agreable in any mode, tending to the Service of a Cause which our best wishes has ever accompanied, we beg leave with due Submission, to Inform your Excellency, that we are now fitting out here, under Imperial colours for Philadelphia—a Cutter, known for one of the fastest Sailing Vessells built in England, Burthen 230 tons, mounting 18 Tuns and Sixty odd men, to be ready for Sea in the Course of Some days; Should She prove agreable to your Excellency for the purpose of conveying, dispatches, goods, or other effects, we will pledge ourselves for the princibles of the captain in whom every heart may be confided. our name as residents at Dunkerque is well known at Versailles in the Bureau of Marine, equally so to many American Gentlemen, among them Mr. Nisbett of L’Orient who was lately in these parts.

This same vessell came lately from Philadelphia to this port in Seventeen Mays fully loaded with tobacco Ship’d by Mr. Saml. Ingtis & Co of former place the captain is born English and naturaliz’d Imperial many of his men are also British, but burghers of this Country, they were all very favourably receiv’d, Still the captain Seem’s to intimate a wish of possessing a protection from the     of the united States in Europe as a Guarantee to his Safety at his arrivall, lest as himself and major of his crew born Englishmen, Should be Conducive to Some obstacle or trouble.

Under this Consideration, we crave your Excellency’s Support, and request that it would be So favourable as to ordain any Such protection to this vessell, as your Excellency Shall Judge necessary. She is call’d the Maarstrand Capt Henry Cock. We have the honor to be with profound Respect and much at your command Your most Humble and obedient servants