Portsm 19th March 1777
Sir
Iv'e done myself the honour (by the Express, who is going on to Congress with the Dispatches) to Inform the Honbl Counsel and Assembly of your State, of the Arrival at this port of the Mercury a French ship mountg Sixteen Carriage guns with fifty men, Loaded with Warlike Stores, Clothg &c for the Continent an Invoice of which as Translated from the French, I have done myself the honour to Inclose, this ship is from Nantes, the goods were shiped by Mr Jona Williams, p order of Mr Dean, I Beg leave to Congratulate you on this most Important event. being with all due Respect [&c.]
John Langdon
Honbl. James Bowdoin President of Counsel State Massachusetts
1. John Langdon Letter Book, Captain J. G. M. Stone Private Collection, Annapolis. See also John Bradford to John Hancock, March 20, 1777.
