Dear Sir.

Yours of the 30th Ulto and 1st Inst are before us. Mr Morris were he present has not the least right to any direction of Capt Weekes or his prizes, & less so to Johnson or Nicholson, they are continental property, &are immediately under our direction, by the Express orders of Congress, and under no other persons.

Inclosed you have a letter to Capt Weekes and to Capts Johnson & Nicholson on this subject. Mr Lee's arrival would make no odds in this business, as it is distinct from anything containd in either of their appoint­ ments, and your appointment from us is the only one that at present can be of any force, we therefore direct you not to give way to any pretensions of any one, but consulting with Mr [John] Ross and Capt Weekes proceed to dispose of the prizes, & to settle their affairs in the best & most expeditious manner possible. Mr Deane has wrote to Capt Weekes to address to the House you mention.

True Copy from the Extract in the hand writing of Mr Jona Williams

H: Ford secy

[Enclosure]

                                                                            Paris July 4th 1777 —

Sir. 

We have appointed Mr Williams to take the direction of such affairs at Nantes as are more particularly within our department, & accordingly advise you to address yourself to him for any assistance you stand in want of in the disposition of your prizes or your other concerns; you will give directions to Capts Johnson and Nicholson which renders it unnecessary for us to write each one separately. We are yours &c.

(signd) B. Franklin
Silas Deane.

Lambert Weekes Esq.                                                          
True Copy from A letter in the hand writing of Mr Jona Williams

H: Ford secy