(Triplicate.)
Sir,

We are very sensible of the Protection afforded to us and to our Commerce since our Residence in this Kingdom, agreeable to the Goodness of the Kings gracious Intentions, and to the Law of Nations; and it gives us real & great Concern when any Vessels of War appertaining to America, either thro' Ignorance or Inattention, do any thing that may offend his Majesty in the smallest Degree. The Captains Wickes, Nicholson, & Johnson have excused to us their returning to France, being chased into the Channel and close to your Ports by English Men of War, of the Truth of which we have no doubt, the Reprisal particularly having been obliged to throw her Guns overboard to facilitate her Escape. We had some Days before we were honor'd by your Excellencys Letter, dispatched by an Express the most positive Orders to them to depart directly to America which they are accordingly preparing to do, as your ExceUency will see by the Letter en­ closed which we have just receiv'd by the Return of that Express. — We shall communicate his Majestys Orders to out Friends residing in your Ports, and acquaint the Congress with the same to the end that our arm'd Vessels may be warned of the Consequence that must attend an Infringement of them. We doubt not but they will be henceforth strictly attended to. And we are willing and ready to give any Security your Excellency may judge sufficient and reasonable, that after being fitted an[d] provisioned for so long a Voyage, those Vessels shall proceed directly to America, without making any other Cruize on the Coasts of England. We are thankful for the repeated Assurances of his Majestys Protection continued to us and such of our Nation as may reside in France, and for the facilities indulged to our Commerce at this critical Conjuncture, which will always be remembered in our Country with Gratitude & Affection. We have the Honour to be, [&c.]