Remarks on Board the Boston Fryday July 10th. 1778.- [Port Louis, France]
This Day very pleasent Weather, finished cleaning the Ships Bottom. Mr- Latuche one of his Christian Majestys Generals at Loriant,1 with a number of Officers came on Board the Ship, and asked the french Sailors & Marines in my presence, weather they had reather tarry on board or go on shore, they answered go on shore, as they entered as Volentears; by they signed the Ships Book as Seamen & Marines, notwithstanding which, tho I showed him the Book, he took 47 out of the Ship & threatned to write to the Commissioners at Parris, about Lieut- Reed & Bates treating the Frenchmen ill; which was false for they have been treated on Board the Ship better if possible then the Americans.—2 The General did not behave to me on Board my Ship with all the politeness that could be expected from one of his Rank, however I shall Write the Commis: the whole of his proceedings3
D, MH-H, Samuel Tucker Papers (MS Am 812), vol. 6 (Log Book of Boston).
1. Comte de La Touche de Tréville, chef d’escadre of a French naval detachment that had recently arrived in L’Orient. In 1781, he became commandant at Rochefort.
2. See Petition in favor of Lt. Benjamin Reed and Lt. Benjamin Bates of the Continental Navy frigate Boston addressed to the American Commissioners in France, 11 July, below.
3. See Tucker to the American Commissioners in France, 12 and 14 July, both below; see also Gabriel de Sartine to the American Commissioners in France, 18 July, below.