Honored Sir

When I wrote you the inclosed from Quiberon Bay¹ I had no Idea of Addressing you at this time from Brest.—As I found Mons^r. La Motte Picquet a Man deserving of confidence I communicated to him a project which I have long wished to execute and which met with his entire Approbation. tho' I had other reasons, this was the principal one why I did not accompany him from that Bay.—I found the Ranger very crank notwithstanding my having taken in Fifteen Tons of Lead in Quiberon to make up the quantity, 46 Tons, which I had ordered before I went to Paris.—When I reached Quimperbay a disorder prevailed in the Ship which from its Symptoms was universally deemed the Small pox. to prevent if possible the infection of this Calamity I left one person at Pont l'Abbe and proceeded. On my Arrival, here in Camaret Bay, the 8^th Current it being necessary to apply for a Pilot I was told by le comte d'Orvilliers, and Mons^r: De la Porte the intendant that if I would wait a day or two a Frigate should accompany me.—I was the more induced to accept of the offer as the Wind was directly contrary—and as I could in the mean time reduce the Yards & Sails—and afterwards proceed with less risque and with a better prospect of Success. I finished the reduction of the Yards & Sails and was again ready within 48 hours.—in the course of this time I received such Attentions from Mons^r. De la Porte that I thought it most advisable to communicate my first project to him.—I had a conference with him Tate a Tate for this purpose—he eagerly embraced & commended my intention which at my request he communicated to the Comte and told me afterwards that the Frigate would accompany me as far as I thought proper to lessen the risque as much as possible. I, however, waited in Camaret Bay untill the day before yesterday without being Joined by the Frigate tho' I had the utmost reason to expect her every hour. the Stormy Weather which still continues induced me to comply with the invitation in the within Letter from Mons^r. De Bausset²—and as I think it absolutely necessary to reduce also the Rangers masts, the Mainmast being 21 Inches diameter—I mean to profit of this favorable Opportunity. You will please to observe that in America necessity Obliged us to make both Steering Sails & TopGallant sails out of duck which is sufficiently heavy for Topsails from perhaps a mistaken principle of Frugality, I did not order others to be made at Nantes—but as they can be made so much sooner here I will give Orders for that purpose. I shall enter the Port to day or to morrow.—I think my own Carpenters, Sailmakers and people will with every little Assistance be able to finish this Business in little more than a Week—so that I shall be perfectly ready to depart when your return becomes due in course of Post, and in all probability the Winds and Weather will not permit it sooner. You will for the present please to excuse my not communicating my first Scheme in this Letter.—Letters may miscarry.—and the consequence might prove fatal to me. If, after the within Letter from Mons^r. De la Porte,³ any thing further should be necessary I am persuaded that both that Gentleman and Mons^r. La Motte Picquet will at any time do Justice to my upright and disintrested intentions.—Should I think myself too late to pursue my first Project I purpose to substitute others which may answer perhaps equally well if not better.—I had the Ranger in disguise at Camaret but I have now pulled off Masque as the kce of Affairs are altered. I can assure you that my detention here has given me and still gives me the utmost uneasiness and the deepest concern. Responsible, as I think myself, for consequences it is with the utmost reluctance that I now write to you without being able to inform you of my Success. I wish the more to hear from you because if I meet with much Game I may perhaps continue the Sport Three months and if the Amsterdam Ship⁴ can be had in the present Situation of Affairs you will perhaps find it necessary for me to return much sooner.—You will if you please communicate this Letter with my Respects to the Commissioners. my best compliments await Doctor Bancroft, all my People are again in health.—and I have the honor to be [&c.]

NB. M^r. Williams could not furnish me with his Account against the Ranger but he has Receipts for every Article. When I depart from Brest I am to Salute the French Flag being promised Gun for Gun.