Commercial Committee
Sir

We acknowledge the Receipt of your favours of the 7^th 8^th. 12th and 17^th instant.¹

In answer to that of the 7th respecting our misterious Commerce we laid it before Congress together with mons^r. Hortalezs Letters, (one of which was a highly finished Political performance) who have added two members to the Commercial Committee to take the same into consideration. They will enter upon the business this afternoon, and when Congress Shall have determined upon this important matter, we will give you the Result.

In answer to that of the 7th respecting the New Brigantine at Baltimore² &c. we have some Time Since ordered her to be loaded with Tobacco for France. She is to go as a Packet to be armed and Commanded by Captain Read.³ We have ordered the Two Vessels which last arrived at North Carolina from Hispaniola to be loaded with Tobacco and Consigned to M^r. Carrabasse.⁴ The Brigantine Success Captain Harris now at Edenton was ordered before her Sailing from Boston to proceed from Carolina to Bilbao to the address of Mess^rs. Gardoqui & Sons.⁵ Congress have ordered General Hand⁶ to send Provisions to the Arkansaws.⁷

In Answer to the 8^th would observe that we think M^r Duer⁸ would have been very illy employed in telling you any thing that might have passed in Congress in which you were concerned; especially we think him highly culpable in representing to you that the Commercial Committee had complained to Congress that their not having the Books in their possession was a grievance to them; because it was a gross misrepresentation. Mess^rs. Forbes & Ellery who were the only members of the Commercial Committee then present, laid before Congress General Hands Letter &c respecting the Rattle Trap.⁹ Some of the Members were dissatisfied with that undertaking and asked a Multitude of questions about it. The Instructions given to Captain Willing were read; but still they wanted more light, when accidentally it was mentioned that the Books and Papers of the Secret Committee were in your hands. This occasioned a Conversation about them, which, if we could, we should think it not worth our while to relate. Let it suffice that so far from complaining against you on account of the Books, the Members of the Committee were for your retaining them 'till they should be settled.

We laid this Letter before Congress who desired us to inform you that they would have you still keep the Books in your possession and settle them as soon as you could.

We have asked your advice frequently and freely, and have as often and as freely received it and shall continue to trouble you while we remain of the Commercial Committee (which we hope for reasons we have already mentioned to you will not be long) whenever we find ourselves embarrassed.

In answer to yours of the 12^th we leave the disposition of the Indies intirely to you.

Yours of the 17^th is now before Congress and will be answered in due Time

We have the Honor to be [&c.]