Paris June 6th 1776
No 2. Mrs. Johnstone2
I received your Letter of the 23d May. I will perform "my" promises "in the way I have pointed out." I am about to send to Cape François in the island of St Domingo, a Ship loaded with Merchandize to the value of £25000, besides Cannon, Powder and Stores, but this last article will arrive but in small Parcels on account of the risque. "On your part do not fail to send a Ship loaded with good Virginia Tobacco," and let your friend send in the Ship an intelligent discreet and faithful Person with powers to receive the Money or Merchandize and Powder, "and to make the remittances in Tobacco," which I can no more do without, than your friend can without what I send to him in a word, let him give his Notes to my House for what he shall not be able to pay in Tobacco, and make certain and solid arrangements with my Agent at the Cape for the future.
The Captain on his arrival at the Cape must enquire of the first Magistrate, who is the Merchant entrusted with the affairs of Roderique Hortalez and Co. and he will introduce him to the correspondent of your humble Servant.3
[Copy]
1. Henry Laurens Papers, Letters to Secret Committee, &c. 1776, SCHS.
2. In this exchange of letters, Beaumarchais used the name "Hortalez" and Lee, "Mary Johnstone." For explanation of the quotation marks, see Lee to Beaumarchais, May 23,
3. Ibid., Lee replied on June 14 cautioning Beaumarchais to "Consider above all things that we are not transacting a mere Mercantile business but that Politics is greatly concerned in this affair."
