Capt Johnson
Sir

You will receive herewith a packet directed to the Commissioners from the United States of America at Paris, and you are to proceed therewith so soon as you have receiv'd your Letter of Credit from the secret Committee of Congress, either to Nantes or Bordeaux in France, as the Circumstances of wind and weather will permit — when you arrive you will immediately apply to the Continental Agent to whom you shall be directed by the secret Committee, and from him you will receive information where the Commissioners are to be met with in Paris, to which place you are to proceed with the greatest dispat.ch by Post, and deliver the Packet to the Commissioners or one of them with your own hands, and from them you are to receive your directions in every respect touching your return, and the Cargo if any that you are to bring with you. You may take the advice of the Agent whether it will be proper for your Vessel to remain in Port where you arrive at, or to meet you at any other Port on your return from Paris. The Agent will furnish you with money to defray your expences to Paris, and to supply the Lexington with what necessaries she may want.

You are desired to be silent in this Country about the place you are going to, anc:Um_mediately to place your Packet in a Bag with wJ:ight that you may be sure of sinking it if you should be in danger of being certainly taken — The British Emissaries in France are very inquisitive about all Vessels and Persons coming from America, and therefore you will be very cautious of talking with any Person concerning the place from whence you came, where you are going, or what is your Business — You will receive from the Secret Committee directions touching the change of your pig Iron ballast for any other that they may direct you to receive. If any good opportunity occurs you will let this Committee know how you proceed, and where you are; your letters may be directed to the Honorable Benj Harrison Esqr Chairman of the Committee of Secret Correspondence at Philadelphia — we wish you a good Voyage and safe return and are [&c.]