[Extract]

I shall observe your directions about the Cutter when she arrives² ー I have not the honour of any thing from you by this post but Mr Peltier has recvd advice that the Destination of the Ship ³ is changed & that instead of going to Boston she is to go to St Domingo and there to be unloaded Mr Montieu likewise mentions that the 7 officers & 2 Servants are to have their passages in her, to all this I can say nothing as I have not your orders and it is by them only that I shall be governed when I receive them you may depend that they shall be literally observed and while I have the honour of your commands I will do my utmost to give you satisfaction I flatter myself you will allow that whenever the operations I have directed have turned out wrong there has been no intentional fault for had I known that the Ship would have been sent to the west Indies I should never have put any salt onboard but should have ballasted her with Bricks which in that Country are valuable while the other is not in the States you know it is exactly the reverse and I supposed she would go directly thither. —

An american Ship is arrivd at Quiberon but it is not yet known what news she brings. —