It was a disagreeable and dangerous business I was on, for I was not acquainted with any person in France, and after an article that was prohibited from being sent out of the country. I had some letters with me from my old friend Pasquer,² but they were written long before I had any thoughts of going to France. As I knew Mr. Pasquer had an uncle in Nantes, I brought these letters, and with them introduced myself to Mr. Richard. I believe that was his name. He was a very respectable man, and received me with great politeness; and his son, who was an officer in the army, behaved very friendly. They both told me it was a very dangerous business I was upon, and appeared uneasy at my visiting them. I applied to some of the masters of ships I had known in Port au Prince, but they were afraid of me when they knew my business. One of them told me it was highly probable I would be taken up by the officers of the government if I remained much longer. Finding nothing to be done here, I set off for L'Orient by land. The roads are good, but the country not so thickly settled as I expected to find it. The horses were not good. I was determined on my arrival at L'Orient to sail for Holland, where I was ordered if powder and arms could not be had in France. However, it was left in a great measure to myself to do what I thought best. Upon my return to L'Orient, Captain [Thomas] Mason, of Philadelphia, was there in a schooner loaded with saltpetre bound home. He informed me the merchant who did his business proposed sending a ship for Philadelphia, with a great quantity of powder, arms, and other war-like stores. He told me if I would go in his schooner he would load the brig and bring her and the ship to Philadelphia. It was with great reluctance I consented to leave the brig, but as I could do it consistent with my instructions, and considered it would probably be of great advantage to my country, as Messrs. Barard Freres promised faithfully to send the ship if Mason stayed, fully relying on their promises and those of Mason, I went on board the schooner. We sailed from L'Orient the 30th of October.