Nantes June 27. 1778
Honoured Gentlemen
In my last Letter I wrote you Captain Jones1 informed me that you had some Goods on hand that belonged to the States and that it was in my power to take a Considerable Quantity, My Ship2 is now Graved and taking in ballast & Water. If it is purposed that I take Goods should be extreamly glad to know that I may stow the Ship Accordingly. I have made all my masts serve both main and fore top Masts, when I found the great Cost of Lower Masts I thought on Repairing the Old ones, which I believe will hold in till we Arrive in America—the Ship will certainly be Ready without any unforeseen Accident intervenes by the 20 of July, and if Agreable to your Honours I should be glad to have Orders by the fifteenth for I am in hopes to be Ready by that time with four months Provisions onboard for which have given Indent to the Agent. My Officers and men exert themselves all in their power to get to sea as they have been Blockaded at home so Long, which makes me very desirous not to be detained after my Ship is in Order for Sailing—My Main Mast will be fit to get in in three days. if your Honours have any Remarkable News from America not of a Private Nature should think myself favoured with the Account have the pleasure to Remain [&c.]
A Whipple
LB, MiU-C, Abraham Whipple Papers. Addressed below close: “Honble B. Franklin. A. Lee. J. Adams Esqrs./ Amer Comm. Paris.” Notation in left margin: “A W/to/Commrs/June 27th..”
1. Continental Marine Capt. William Jones. Whipple’s letter to the Commissioners, dated 15 June, is above.
2. Continental Navy frigate Providence.