to Captain de Rosnevet commanding the Corvette La Curieuse in Brest, bound for Santo Domingo.
Lieutenant de Kersen commanding the Corvette La Favorite in Brest, bound for Martinique.
Lieutenant Dussault commanding the Corvette Le Rossignol in Brest, bound for Guadeloupe.
Versailles, 30 September 1776
You will find enclosed herewith, Sir, a packet containing the particular instructions which will determine your line of conduct in the mission which H.M. [His Majesty] has entrusted to you. As soon as you receive my leter you will get under way and set sail for
St. Domingo
Martinique
Guadeloupe
if the wind is favorable; but you will open this packet only after you have passed the Tropic and you will keep secret the instructions it contains. Each time that you will want to communicate to me Intelligence relative to the object of these instructions, you will use two envelopes, the first one marked For You Only. You will show your instructions to the Commandant of the Colony where you will be stationed and you will prepare with him all the operations with respect to your mission. I have the honor &c.
