St Malo 7th Augt 1777 —
[Extract]
. . . We are now all ready & Clear for Sailing, only wait your Orders, our powder is Stop'd in the Magazine and will not be dilever'd without a positive Order from the Minester for that purpose — Capt Johnson is all ready and Clear to Sail only Waits your Orders & leave to depart from the Port of Morlaix — the Bearer of this is a Young Gentleman of good Family & Charactor & is very desirous of Passing with me to America, with another Relation of his — I would Receive them Willingly If I could do it with Honour, as I have given my Parrole of honour not to Receive any person of this Nation on board or Carry them off with out permission from the Commissary & Judge of the Admiralty which Cannot be granted without orders from Court. — I should be glad to know your Sentiments on this Subject. . .
1. Franklin Papers, vol. 6, pt. 2, 173, APS.