Paris 14 July. 1778
Dear Sir
I Know you will be very anxious about my Return; but I cannot help it. I had yesterday afternoon, got my dispatches for you & Cap Whipple, but had not got to my Lodgings, when a Mesenger was sent after me to Return to passy, this Morning; your Orders I am Sure, will be perfectly agreable to you; & the Reason of my writing you this morning, before I go to passy, is, that the post Setts out at 12. & will not go again till Saturday, it will Satisfie you, to assure you, all will be agreable to your most Sanguine wishes. I am sorry to tell you that we have accts. this day to the Commisioners that the Marthey is Retaken & Caried in to halifax;1 never minde, you must Seeke a Nother. I am much worse in Regard to my hearing, than when I Left you, a Very unhappy Sircumstance to me; the Minit I can git dispatchd from the Commissioners, Shall Sett off for I am very Anxious to git to the water Side & have done Jolting on the Roads— My best Respect attend you, & all the Officers on board the boston I have the honor to be [&c.]
M. Livingston
L, MH-H, Samuel Tucker Papers. Addressed on separate sheet: “Saml. Tucker Esqr/Commander, of Frigate Boston/a/Loriant,.” Docketed: “M- Livingston/Letter Paris July/14th. 1778.—/Copyd.-.”
1. Ship Martha, Peter McIntosh, master, had been captured by Boston 11 March and sent to Boston with a prize crew commanded by Lt. Hezekiah Welch. See Captain Samuel Tucker to the Continental Navy Board of the Eastern Department, 11 Mar. 1778, NDAR 11: 1079. Martha was recaptured by H.M. frigate Rainbow, Capt. Sir George Collier, commanding, on 11 May. See Journal of H.M. frigate Rainbow, 11 May, NDAR 12: 326.
