Nantes 16 June 1778
Sir,
This morning Mr Woodworth your Lt of Marines1 brought me yr much esteemed favour of yesterday by which you advise me that you have sent one of your Officers to the Isle of Rhé to bring your Prize into this River,2 it is true that it will sell much more Advantageously but the Risk there is from thence to this port required that the Cargo should have been imported in french Casks and the Vessel sold here or there deliverable at St Martins. I waited the Commissioners Orders to give my instructions to that purpose and I am sorry Capt Jones has so much misunderstood me if it had been decided that I should have had it as it now is I would have troubled him with a Letter to you to that purport—however as what cant be cured must be endured we must hope for the best and if she Arrives safe some charges will by that means be saved, at all events I write by tomorrows post to Messeurs Fairholm & Luther in order to stop your Officer if he should still be there and follow the plan I mention as the most prudent and the most safe if it meets with your Approban. I have according to your Desire bot and delivered your said Lt Cloth for Seven suits of Cloaths with linings amounting together to 394-8 charged to the Ships account I have Orders likewise to Furnish the Slops & Provisions for your Crew therefore beg that you would freely Command and believe me most truly sir [&c.]
J. Dl Schweighauser
I have paid also to said Mr Woodworth £24 as you desired.
LB, MiU-C, Abraham Whipple Papers. Addressed at top of page: “Abraham Whipple Esqr/Commander of the Continental/Ship the Providence/at/Paimbeuf.” Notation in margin: “I D S/to/A W/16 June.”
1. Lt. Jonathan Woodworth, Continental Marines.
2. See Whipple to Lt. Patrick Fletcher, 15 June, above.