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Dear Sir,

Above is Copy of my last Respects, Since which have none of your Favors to acknowledge; the 18 Inst arrived here the Ship Seine Capt Morin from Havre de Grace; a Vessel taken up on Account of the Continent, laden with Arms, Ammunition &ca; She was blown off the Coast of America in a hard Gale of Wind, where She met with a continual Succession of bad Weather; As this Cargo is exceedingly valuable, & much wanted in America, I cannot but think it more adviseable to ship it in different Bottoms, than to venture it all in one Vessel, especially as I have advices from Philadelphia of two of the Continental Vessels being destined in a short Time for this Place.

In several Letters which I have received from the Honble Committee, they make mention of Sundry Merchandize to a considerable Amount, that I may expect will be shipped to this Place by Monsr Hortalez [Beaumarchais] & others, on Account of the United States of America, to be forwarded by different opportunities; which is certainly to be prefer'd to a direct Voyage to America, as by this means the Risk may be divided, & the Goods shipped in well appointed fast sailing Vessels, with proper Masters, well acquainted with the Coast, to command them. The Honbl Committee expected this would be the Case & mentioned that they should constantly keep sending out Armed Vessels to receive such Goods as might be shipped to this Place, by the above or any other Gentn on the public Account.

I find in the Instructions given to the Captain of this Vessel, he is recommended to Bermudas, in Case of being blown off the Coast. It is extremely lucky that he prefer'd coming to Martinique, for if he had attempted to touch at Bermudas, he would in all probability have been taken, as there are Several Frigates cruizing in that Latitude, who would have paid little Respect to his French Papers, if there had been any Reason to suspect the Place of his Destination; I shall take out of this Vessel a considerable Part of the Arms, Camp Equipage, Mortars, Bombs &c & then forward her with the Remainder. I do not know the Tenor of her Charter Party, but if She is to be loaded back on Account of the Continent I think it would be much more adviseable for her to go to Virginia, Maryland, or Carolina, where Vessels are scarce & where She could procure a valuable Cargo, than to Boston, where Vessels are plenty & the Exportations of little Consideration.

I have heard but little News from America lately. There are many Reports circulated, all in favor of America; some of which come from the English Islands, but untill they are better authenticated I will not presume to mention them.

I shall write you more fully in a short Time, untill when I am with great, Regard &c