Hon^bIe Gentlemen

The Duchesse of Grammont is still waiting your permission to proceed to sea.

I have been trying several people to get a Ship to carry out what Goods remain, without success. The Ship at Lorient I mentioned in my last¹ does not turn out to my Satisfaction.

M^r Gruel has a Ship here which is a good Sailor. I know her to be such because she lately came from America & the amⁿ Captain gives her that Reputation; he will not let her under 350 Limes all round the Tonnage to be reckoned on the Ships measurement: this is exorbitant & I have of course refused it. To Day MT Gruel offers me his Vessell for Sale, his price is 45000 Limes 1/3 Cash the other 1/3 in three months.² I can't purchase without your orders but if you approve I will do the best I can. It will certainly be necessary to have a Ship, for (as I have already often times mentioned to you) I have 400 Cases of Arms 12000 p^r. Hose & 3400 Suits of Cloaths besides other articles on hand. I have one other offer for Frieght to pay Cash down before the Ship Sails at a very moderate Price, but as Frieght is not payable unless the Goods arrive safe, this Freight ought not to be more than if there were no risque at all; the person asks 87^# on these Conditions, but he ought to come down if you agree to his Terms. This Ship is the famous Duc de Chartres that I formerly had so much Trouble about.—³

M^r Grand mentions to me to day that you have not yet given your Approbation of a Continuation of my Drafts, which I beg you to do immediately as Delays in these delicate points affect ones Reputation or if you rather choose the mode give me an inlarged Credit for a Stipulated Sum. I shall furnish you with the Acco^ts. for the Lion⁴ the Ranger the Magazine the Cloathing the Shoes &c &c as soon as I can but they are too extensive to be suddenly collected in the mean Time I request your attention to my Credit with M^r Grand.—I have the honour to be [&c.]