[Extract]

jai vous depeche une tres petite embarcation ne pouvant pas men procure d'autre dans le moment. il me paroit tres interessant que vous soies instruit a tems que la descente ne peut pas avoir hier dimanche matin comme lavoit espere le general sullivan¹ ms. Laurens et fleuri² vous vendent une compte plus detaille que je pouver le faire a cet egard, car jai lhonneur de vous observer que le general sullivan ma toujours repondu de la meme facon qui est que je serois prevenu et du tems et du lieu quand il en seroit tems. jai vu cet après midi le general green qui a eté aussi reservé avec moi. il me paroitrait cependant necessaire que je connasse leur dispositions pour les bateaux, de la descente, que nous fussions convenus des signeaux pour les faire partir, lorsque je croirais que la descente serai praticable; il soit que les ennemis ne posasent point de resistance, ou après avoir detruit les obstacles quon opposeroit javois aussi desire favor si on ne compte pas faire de penssee attaquer sil ne seroit pas a propos de les inquieter par la separation de deux fregates. le general green³ ma paru desirer que nous fussions reunis tant le que jai lhonneur de vous dire mon general est prevoiance de ma part, car jose croire que les anglais ne songent point a sopposer a la descente, du moins il ne paroit rien sur deux lieues du côte que nous verrons parfaitement qui puisse le faire croire, et la deposition de beaucoup d'anglais qui ont deserté lisle paroit le confirmer 

. . . . mrs. laurens et fleuri se proposent de partir demain a midi pour lescadre jaurai lhonneur de vous rendre compte plus particuliere par eux. il me sera difficille de leur provider une embarcation autre que celle que je vous envoie et si la brise est forte ou ne peut quen sen servir si vous jugies a propos denvoier un batiment plus fort ces messieurs seroient assurer de pouvoir partir jai lhonneur detre [&c.]

a bord de laimable le
7 aoust 1778. 

[Translation]

I have sent you a very small boat, not being able to procure another at the moment. It appears to me very important that you be informed promptly that the landing cannot take place tomorrow, Sunday morning, as General Sullivan¹ hoped. Messrs. Laurens and Fleury² are sending you an account more detailed than I can in this regard, for I have the honor to observe to you that General Sullivan has always responded to me in the same manner, which is that I will be informed of the time and of the place when the time comes. This afternoon I saw General Greene,³ who has been as reserved with me. It appears to me, however, necessary that I know the dispositions for the boats for the landing, that we agree on signals for having them depart when I believe that the landing will be practicable; it may be that the enemy will put up no resistance, or after having destroyed the obstacles that oppose us; I also desired a favor if we do not count on making the intended attack, if it would not be appropriate to disquiet them by the separation of two frigates. General Greene appeared to me to desire that we reunite, such, I have the honor to tell you, My General, is forethought on my part, for I dare believe that the English do not concern themselves at all with opposing the landing; at least nothing appears at the two places on the coast that we see perfectly that can make us believe it, and the deposition of many of the Englishmen who have deserted the island appears to confirm it. 

. . . . Messrs. Laurens and Fleury propose to leave for the squadron tomorrow at noon. I shall have the honor of reporting to you more particularly through them. It will be difficult for me to give them a boat other than the one I am sending you, and if the breeze is so strong that it cannot be employed, if you judge it appropriate to provide them with a stronger boat, those gentlemen will be assured of being able to depart. I have the honor to be [&c.] 

st. cosme

On board the Aimable
7 August 1778