Saint Pierre, Martinique, Decmr 6, 1777
(Duplicate.) Gentlemen,
Herewith you will please to find Copies of my last Respects. I have the Honor to Inclose you Bill of Lading for sundry Medicines shipped on board the Schooner Industry Captain Morrison. I have consigned them to the Continental Agent at Edenton in North Carolina,1 who I have desired to give you immediate Notice of their Arrival.
I have shipped the Remainder of the Mary Catharines Cargoe on board the Brigantine Irish Gimblet Captain Lamb bound to New London to the Address of Nathaniel Shaw Junr Esqr: Continental Agent for the State of Connecticut2 & have also shipped on board the Briga. Chance Captain McIlnoe3 bound to North Carolina or any other Port in the thirteen United States, fifteen Bales of Cloth & Tents & fifteen Cases of Arms, being part of the Ship Seine's Cargoe,4 Bill of Lading for each of which you will also please to find inclosed. I have addressed this last mentioned Parcel to the Continental Agent or Committee of the District where the Vessel may arrive, & have requested him or them to give you immediate Notice of their Arrival.
There seems no Prospect of a War taking place betwixt France & England before the Spring. I refer you to my Letter to the Honorable Committee of Secret Correspondance for a fuller Information on this Subject—I have the Honor to be [&c.]
Wm Bingham
L, DLC, Continental Congress Miscellany, Box 1780–1790. Addressed at foot of first page: “Honble. Secret Committee of Congress.” Docketed: “William Bingham Esqr./St Pierr Decemb: 6th. 1777."
1. Robert Smith. JCC 4: 301.
2. See above, William Bingham to Nathaniel Shaw, Jr., 20 Nov. 1777, and Bingham to John Langdon, 27 Nov. 1777.
3. Privateer brigantine Chance, John Mcllnoe, with ten carriage guns and a crew of thirty-five, owned by Blair McClenachan of Philadelphia. Bond of brigantine Chance, 28 Mar. 1777, PHarH, RG 27, Records of Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments, 1775-1790, Pennsylvania Letters of Marque (Privateers), Pennsylvania's Commanders Bonded to the Continental Congress, Inclusive: 1776-1777.
4. See NDAR 8 and 9, for documents concerning the capture of the ship La Seine.
