My lord,

Although it seems from public notices in the different ports of Kingdom that American Ships come in freely in order to exchange the Goods which they bring from their Colonies for Merchandise from our Continent, the Supplicant, a Merchant in the City of Bordeaux, uncertain as to whether this new Traffic is carried by virtue of some special permission, and unwilling to innovate without the approbation of the Government dares request very humbly, My lord, permission to give ear to the trade offers which might be made to him by American Shipowners.

The latter may offer the following trade items:

And a number of other essential items.

In exchange, this Nation may take Wines, Spirits, a quantity of manufactured articles of infinite variety.

The favor which the Government may grant the French merchants in this circumstance is of the greatest consequence for the State since it would enable them to obtain at first hand and for a much better price the same merchandise which the English and the Dutch bring us only after a profit to two or three other hands.

This would also present a most essential advantage to the Farm General, especially if the Farmers General are satisfied with ordinary and fairly reasonable duty charges so as not to frighten the Merchants in their New Speculations.

The Supplicant will act only by virtue of the permission he dares expect from the kindness of Count de Vergennes by whom he already has the honor to be protected having the advantage to be his compatriot.

[Endorsed] M. Louis Poncel Esquire Merchant Shipowner, Former Alderman, Great Judge of the Chamber of Commerce, Director and Administrator of the hospitals in the city of Bordeaux.