L’Orient 29th June 1778
Honorable Gentlemen
The Frigate Oiseau who convoyed a Virginia Schooner out of the Bay wch. I dispatched from hence, is returned yesterday with the prize Hope, John Poignestre Master belonging to Jersey, a privateer of six Guns,1 who had taken the Brig Sally Captain Rapeal2 belonging to the state of Massachusettes the 3d: of May, with a cargo of Rice & Indigo from Charles Town on pu[b]lic acct., bound to Bilboa. on board of said privateer, the following sailors belonging to Marble Head were prisoners. Thomas Collie, James Howard, & John Fowler, for whose liberty I apply’d to the Commissary, who granted my request, and in order to save the expence that wou’d naturally attend their delay here, for an opportunity to return to their Country, I prevailed on the Captain of the Oiseau to take them to Brest and deliver them to Cap: Jones of the Ranger, who I make no doubt will receive them I have the honor to be respectfully [&c.]
James Moylan
L, PPAmP, Benjamin Franklin Papers, vol. 10, fol. 69. Addressed: “The Honorable Plenepotentiary/Ministers of the United States/of America/at/Passy.” Docketed: “Mr Moylan 29. June/1778.”
1. Jersey privateer schooner Hope, Capt. John Poingdestre, commander, burthen 50 tons, carrying ten 3-pounders, six swivel guns and a crew of 25. UkLPR, H.C.A. 26/62/8. Hope is also described as a single deck schooner, ——— Poingstree, commander, 70 tons burthen, mounting six 3-pounders, built in America in 1769, owned by P. Robin & Co., of Jersey. Lloyd’s Register of Ships, 1777–1778.
