Sir Yours of the 15 & 20th ulto should have been answered sooner but I recd them only three days ago & Mr Montieu being determined to go himself for Marsailles I determined to send to you by him as the matter will now be finished and I trust you will sail in a few days after his arrival. my advice is that you Clear out in form for Saint Domingo & be careful that you have no Papers on board that may shew the Contrary except what are in your own Power, & these have always ready to be sunk in case of an Attack or danger in a Search. You will stand directly for the Continent of North America, and endeavour to fall in as far to the North as Portsmouth in New Hampshire or Boston. on your Arrival you are to apply to the Authority or Magistrates of the Place. where you may arrive for Assistance in Securing the Vessel & Cargo for Acct of Congress and you will immedi­ately inform Congress by express of the Place you are at and the Cargo onboard and attend their Orders. with respect to the Sale of the Vessel Mr Montieu will give you his instructions. As you will tarry in the Country if the Vessel is sent Back you are to urge the person who has the Care of the Expedition to send her away as early as Possible & Procure a good Pilot for her return. You will be able to inform the Congress of the Reasons of yr delay more particularly than I can do in a Letter but I have wrote them on the Subject [in] the inclosed Letter which you will deliver with your own, Hand. Before sailing make out an exact acct of the Cargo wh you will have onboard and the number of Tons it makes, also the Number of Tons which the Vessel will carry if intirely filled up, which I am uncertain whether the articles to be sent will do or not, but my desire is that you take as much onboard as will be consistent with your Sailing to advantage. If any artillery Officers insist oh going you must order them to be dis­guised like marines or enter as common Passengers for St Domingo.² You will carefully avoid falling in with any english Vessel of War if Possible but should you be attacked must defend yourself in the best manner & to the utmost. with Esteem I am &c