Bordx june the 23th 1778
Honourable Sir
Since my departure from paris i have Been very Busy in fitting out for mr. Basmarin, and mr Chaumont the frigate vengeance;1 mounted with 24 nine pounders Thirty swivels, 24 oars, 220 good men, most part foreigners The tender Rangler mounted with six three pounders, 20 swivels, 36 oars, and 50 men, Commanded By Lieutent Barned one americain,2 having part of her Crew of the same Nation, all will Be ready in twenty days for the farthest3 i am in great hope of finding somme good oCasion at giving the strongest prouve of my good will for the wellfare of Liberty and our attachement for the united states your honour will Be so kind to send me his orders as soon as posible and if in Case there is some perticulars that my Be of service in anoying the Ennemies i should Be very proud to Be of some service in this oCasion Let the things Be as it please i shal allwais Be [&c.]
francis montresor at Mr Basmarin in Bordeaux
my humble respects to the honourable deputys of ye Congress/
L, PPAmP, Benjamin Franklin Papers, vol. 10, fol. 53. Docketed: “Mr Montresors Letter from/Bourdeaux 23d June 1778.”
1. The merchant house of Basmarein & Raimbaux was responsible for the fitting out Vengeance under Lettres de Représailles issued by Louis XVI, allowing them to recoup the loss of certain of their merchant ships after their appeal for French naval assistance, seconded by the American Commissioners in France, was rejected. With the Lettres de Représailles in hand, the firm successfully launched a mass subscription “and Bordeaux watched the preparations with excitement.” Benjamin Franklin Papers 26: 472–74 and n.
2. That is, James Barnett, a former British prisoner.
3. Vengeance sailed in August. Ibid., 677n.
