Sir

Pursuant to your desire I beg leave to inclose you an authenticated Copy of the Letter from Messrs Berard freres & C^o. to Captain Tobias Oakman, which was found on board the Ship Thames at the time She was retaken by the non-commissioned ships Mary, Morgan Jenkins M^r; Eagle, Mich^l Dove M^r; and Hearts of Oak, Robert Paterson M^r.

I take the liberty to observe, that Tobias Oakman to whom the said Letter appears to be directed, was the Prize Master put into the Thames by Captain Day of the rebel armed ship called the General Miffling, after he had taken the said ship.¹ I am [&c.]

[Enclosure]

Extracted from the Registry of his Majesty's High Court of Admiralty of England.

(No. 4)

L'Orient 27th. July 1777

To Cap^n. Tobias Okman
of the Ship Rebecca

Sir

Captain Day of General Miffling's Ship who is safe in our Road, having informed us of the particulars of the Cargo and situation of Ship Rebecca, that would be sold to great disadvantage at Morlaix We have advised him to give you Orders to proceed to this Port and follow our Directions on y^e. same which is the purport of the Inclosed to you from Capt^n. Day.

We intended at first to have given you in writing the necessary Instructions how to clear your Vessel from Morlaix for this Port, but finding that many Incidents might start which might embarrase you or render our Plan perhaps abortive, we have thought best that one of us should go on y^e spot to Execute and compleat our plan of clearing out your Vessel from Morlaix for this place under french Colours and Clearances to avoid all risks and difficulties of landing here your Cargo. M^r. De Montplaiser who will deliver you this, is the Gentleman that will attend you from us on said affair; youll please to follow his Directions, and dispatch yourself as expeditiously as possible; he will with his friends provide a Pratick who will appear Master of the Vessel with 2 or 3 men or more if he can get them, youll take care to keep as close as possible to the Land all the way and hoist your french Colours when you come in our Road; youll send all your own Men on board the General Miffling at Groix and will keep only what shall be necessary to work in y^r. Ship from Groix in the harbour, where you'll only come in when we send you an approbation and take care the Pilot youll take care on y^e Coast knows nothing about you being a Prize.

If absolutely M^r. De Montplaisir could not settle at Morlaix in a satisfactory manner your french clearance, then you'd come in under Dutch Colours or according to M^r. Montplaisirs Directions, but remain in our Road of Groix here till you hear from us and send us an express boat of Cap^n. Day's ship of your being arrived on which we take proper Measures for your being admitted without any difficulties.

As Capt^n. Day wants all his hands before he proceeds on his new Intended Cruize, he desires youll make all haste possible that he may not be detained long here on your Account. Whatever Expences you may have been at during your stay at Morlaix, Draw for the same on us who will Discharge it when presented.

In hopes of seeing you soon safe here We Remain [&c.]

Berard freres & Co.

Gourlade

Youll please to give M^r. De Montplaisir a Note in writing of the Contents of your Cargo that he may take the clearance for the same

Should you hear of the Brig and the Sloop prize to Capt^n. Day, M^r. De Montplaisir will likewise clear them wherever he'll find them for this Harbour, Pray write in that case to the prize Masters to follow M^r. Montplaisirs Directions as it is Captn^. Days intentions

Yours—Berard

(superscribed)

To

Capt^n: Tobias Oakman
of the ship Rebecca
Morlaix

Godf: Lee Farrant
Registrar.

Examined at D^rs. Commons London, with the Original Letter, remaining in the Registry of the High Court of Admiralty of England this eighteenth day of October, 1777 by me,

Geo. Gostling, Jr.
Not^y Pub^k.