Sir, 

We beg leave to inform your Excellencey, in Answer to the Complaint of M^r. Bersolle,¹ that he had formerly taken the Liberty himself to draw on our Banker for Advances made to Captain Jones before his last Cruise, and was much displeased that his Draft was refused payment. We acquainted him then with the Reason of this Refusal, vizt. that he had sent us no Accounts of his Disbursements or Advances, by which We might judge whether his Draft was well founded, and he had never any permission to draw on our Banker. However, afterwards, when We had seen his accounts, payment was made to him.

In the present Case, it is said, he has advanced to Captain Jones a thousand Louis, immediately on his arrival, for which the Captain has drawn on Us, in M^r. Bersolle’s favor: But as Captain Jones had not previously satisfied Us, of the Necessity for this Advance, nor had our permission for the draft, his Bill was also refused payment. And as Captain Jones writes Us that upon the News or our Refusal he was reduced to the Necessity, not knowing where to get Victuals for his people,² We conclude that the advance was not actually made, as it was impossible he should in so short a time have spent so large a Sum. And We think it extreamly irregular in Merchants to draw Bills before they send their Accounts and in Captains of Ships of War, to draw for any Sums they please, without previous Notice and express permission: and our Captains have the less Excuse for it, as We have ever been ready to furnish them with all the Necessaries they desired, and Captain Jones in particular has had of Us, near an hundred thousand Livres, for such purposes, of which twelve thousand was to be distributed among his people to relieve their Necessities, the only purpose mentioned to Us for which this draft was made, and which We thought sufficient. If this Liberty assumed of drawing on Us, without our Knowledge or Consent is not checked, and We are to be obliged to pay such Drafts it will be impossible for Us to regulate our own Contracts and Engagements so as to fulfil them with punctuality, and We might in a little Time become Bankrupts ourselves. If therefore M^r. Bersolle has brought himself into any Embarrassments it is not our fault, but his. We are ready to discharge all debts We contract; but We must not permit other people to run Us in debt without our Leave: And We do not concieve it can hurt our Credit if We refuse payment of such debts.³

Whatever is due for necessaries furnished to Captain Jones by the Caisse de la Marine at Brest either from the Magazine, or for the Subsistence of his people, We shall also readily and thankfully pay as soon as We have seen and approve of the Accounts: but We concieve that regularly the Communication of Accounts should always precede demands of payment.

We are much obliged by the Care that has been taken to recover the Goods pillaged from the Chatham,⁴ and We think that the Charges that have arisen in that Transaction ought to be paid, and We suppose will be paid, out of the produce of the Sales of that Ship and her Cargo.

We understand Lieut Simpson is confined by his Captain for Breach of Orders: He has desired a Tryal which cannot be had here, and therefore at his Request We have directed that he should be sent to America for that purpose.⁵

We shall be obliged to your Excellency for your Orders to permit the immediate Sale of the Chatham and other prizes: that the part belonging to the Captors may be paid them, as they are very uneasy at the delay, being distressed for want of their Money, to purchase Cloathing &^c and We wish to have the part belonging to the Congress; out of which to defray the Charges accruing on the Ships. The difficulties our people have heretofore met with in the Sale of prizes, have occasioned them to be sold, often for less than half their Value: and these difficulties not being yet quite removed, are so discouraging that We apprehend it will be thought adviseable to keep our Vessels of War in America, and send no more to cruise on the Coast of England.

We are not acquainted with the Character of Captain Botsen: but if your Excellency should have Occasion for a Pilot, on the Coast of America, and this person on Examination should appear qualified, We shall be glad that he may be found useful in that Quality; and We are thankful to the Consul at Nice for his Readiness to serve our Countrymen.⁶ With the greatest Respect and Esteem We have the Honor to be, your Excellencys &c.

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