Dr Sir

Capt Wickes & my Self are Yet Waitg here with great impatience for the Arrival of the Lexington, Capt Johnson from Burdo [Bordeaux], we had determined on Wednesday last to go to Sea without him; for he informed us on his Arrival there from Nants, that he wou'd Sail from that Place last Sunday was a Week, & hearg nothing further from him Obliged us to beleave he was taken, or that some Accident had happened him, but on our going to Painbeaf on Thursday last, we were Informed by A Gentn there, who had Just recd a letter from his friend at Burdo, that Capt Johnson was Still there, but was to leave it on Saturday last, so that we are induced to wait a few Days longer, in wch time I hope he will make his appearance for I long to be doing ー I am now all fitted & ready for Sea, only Wantg Some Officers, I want A Master & a Boatswain very Much, my Boatswain run away from me 4 Days agoe, I have had no Master for the Vessell Yet, but am in hopes of gettg the Prize Master of one of the Riseing State's Prizes; he gave me A Promise Provided he can get the Prize Sold in time for us,² Mr [Seth] Clark has been on Shore this Ten Days Past with A bad hand & arm, wch he by Some Means or other got Poisned, Shall take him on board again in a Day or two, we have on board Twenty eight in Number, 14 of which are French Men, & the greatest Part of them of little Value. I am in hopes of Pickg up a few more Americans before I Sail, we have had four French Men run from us, with my Boatswain, makes five run away, I am afraid to make use of any Disipline here, for fear of the rest leaving me, therefore am Obliged to hold my hand as yet. I now Suffer no boat to come along Side, but Capt Wickes's, &keep my own Inn, all Weathers, I have only my Second Lieutt & one Mate I can trust too, & nither of them was ever in A Vessel of War before, Dr Sir Shou'd have Wrote You oftner but have had A deal to do, & much Confined, for this little Vessell has takg as much fittg, as any Ship that wou'd Carry no more Guns ー Shall write You again on my leavg this; there Arrived here 4 Days agoe A Sloop from Virginia loaded with Tobacco, had about 26 Days Passage, have not Seen the Capt but hear nothing New Pray my Complts to Doctr Franklin and Billey; Doctr Bancroft &c and am Dr Sir [&c.]

To the Honble Silas Deane Esqr A Paris.