L’O‰rient 3d. July 1778
Honorable Gentlemen
The Frigate Boston Cap: S. Tucker is return’d to this port yesterday. on her Cruise she had taken four prizes, one of wch. loaded with Currants and Medicines, the Cap: order’d to Boston, and the other three to this port, wch. are not yet arrived1
Mr. Livingston2 who set out this afternoon for Paris, will inform you the disagreeable cause of this vessel’s return,3 and as Mr. Schuighawser (who I understand you have appointed Agent for this Province)4 has not yet had time to give his orders for supplying this vessels wants, I told Cap: Tucker that I wou’d furnish him with the necessarys, untill the receipt of them, or of your instructions. in consequence of wch. I have pass’d with him through the diffirent ceremonys of his entrance &a. I have the honor to be [&c.]
James Moylan
L, PPAmP, Benjamin Franklin Papers, vol. 10, fol. 85. Addressed: “The Honorable Plenepotentiary/Ministers of the United States/of America/at/Passy.” Docketed: “Mr Moylan’s Letter./3d. July 78-.”
1. On the prizes, see Capt. Samuel Tucker to Moylan, this date, above.
2. Lt. Musco Livingston of Continental frigate Boston.
3. Tucker discussed the reasons for Boston’s return to port in his letters to the Commissioners of 3 July, above, and to John Adams, 4 July, below.
4. Jean-Daniel Schweighauser discussed the terms of his appointment in his letter to Tucker of 5/6 July, below.
