Philada. Augt. 14th. 1778—
Sir
On the 12 July1 I did myself the honor of introducing to your Excellency’s particular notice Mr. Seagrove [a] Gentleman of my Acquaintance, of whom I have the highest opinion, both as a Gentleman of Honor, and one firmly attached to this Country, which he has evinced on many occasions—
To my great surprize I was yesterday told that from Information given to the Marine Committe by some Scoundrill out of private pique to Mr. Seagrove, the Committe inadvertently wrote Monsr. Gerard that Mr. Seagrove was a Person of suspicious Character, which Information I am told Monsr. Gerard has transmitted to your Excellency2 and as it may operate to the prejudice of a Worthy, Honest Man, I have now taken the liberty of setting your Excellency right in the matter, and of assuring you I will answer for the Conduct of Mr. Seagrove with my Life & Fortune—
I have the honor to be [&c.]
B Arnold
L, FrPNA, Marine B4, vol. 146, fol. 42. Addressed at foot: “His Excellecy/Count D’Estaing}.”
1. In his letter of 12 July, from Philadelphia, Arnold wrote to d’Estaing for the purpose of “of paying you my congratulatory Compliments on your safe Arrival in America, and of recommending to your particular Notice, the Bearer Major Franks, my Aid de Camp and Mr. Seagrove, a young Gentleman of this Place, who are ambitious of the honor of serving under The Count D’Estaing, and of being Eyewitnesses of your Conquest over our mutual Enemies.” FrPNA, Marine B4, vol. 146, fols., 38–39. Seagrove worked with William Constable of New York to supply the Continental Army.
2. Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, French minister plenipotentiary, in Philadelphia. Gerard enclosed in a letter on 12 Aug. 1778 the following information to d’Estaing:
