[Bellisle July 12th. 1778]
Sir
I take this Opportunity of Writing hoping you will not think me to Bolde as it is Chiefly to Enform you of my Been taken in the Elexenton Capn. Jonson1 and Reciving Som small wounds was Sent to the Hospital from wence I made my escape but having neither Money or Friends was Obliged to Seake Refuge on Board of a Letter of Marque2 with another American that was taken in the Hancock and Adams. Samuel Smith Commander Belonging to Philedelphia,3 made his Escape Likewise and Entred on Board the Said Letter of Marque Namely the Hawke.4 we Crused off Bellisle and was taken by the Vosau. a frigate of France5 and Brought into L’Orient but after a Short imprisonment there was Removed to the Island of Bellisle Wher we now remain. we have Applied to the Govonor of this Island for Liberty to go in Som Vessel Beloning to America he has Wroght to the Minestry twenty dayes ag[o] but has Recived no answer as yet,6 therefore we Apply to your Honour hoping you will youse your best Endevours to get our Liberty as we are very willing to go on Board your vessel or any Other you think Propper. therefore we shall be very Proude of a Few lines from your Hand to signify weather you can get us Clear or not. and if not entruding to much Should be glad to know what Newes from America. Likewise we are very glad to here of your Sucksess in taken Prises. Sir there are a great many Americans in Prison in England when we lift it on account of there not going on Borde there men of War, but great Sums of money have been Raised for them by People that are friends to that Cause, the greatest Part of the Shipping in England are in Commission and Pretty well maned as we where inform’d but every Seaman Striving to Shun them on account of going against America your most humble Servant &c
John Selby
Bellisle July 12th. 1778
P.S. there is two Olde Contry Men with us that have Wives in America and would be greatly Obliged to you if you would intercead in there Behalfe, as they are men we can Relay on.
L, MH-H, Samuel Tucker Papers.
1. Continental Navy brig Lexington, Capt. Henry Johnson, commanding, was captured by H.M. cutter Alert, Lt. John Bazeley, commanding, on 19 Sept. 1777. Journal of H.M. Cutter Alert, 19 Sept. 1777, NDAR 9: 651–52
2. Ship Hawke, Samuel Gribble, master, 220 tons burthen, carrying 14 9-pounders and 16 swivel guns, owned by Anthony Calvert of London. UkLPR, H.C.A. 26/60, p. 136.
3. In a letter of 15 July to the American Commissioners in France, French Minister of Marine Gabriel de Sartine identified Selby’s companion as James Niggins of Charleston. For more on the capture of the ship Hancock and Adams, see Jonathan G. Frazer to John Adams, 2 May, in NDAR 12: 652–53.
4. With Selby’s letter to Tucker is one from Selby to his father. In it, he explains that he encountered his brother in London who refused to see Selby or to assist him “in the Leaste” and Selby therefore entered on board Hawke in the hope of meeting his brother on his brother’s voyage home.
5. Undoubtedly, French Navy frigate Oiseau, Théobald René, comte de Kergariou Locmaria, commanding.
6. Gabriel de Sartine referred the question of releasing Selby and Niggins to the American Commissioners, who in a reply of 22 July, below, agreed that they should be freed.
