[Extract]
Gentlemen

I embrace this opportunity of Captain Nicholson's return to Paris to acquaint you with my arrival here yesterday about four o'Clock in the afternoon ー Mr Penet having some bussiness at Orleans ー detained us at that place a few hours wh together with the badness of the roads rendered it impossible for us to make greater dispatch than we did ー I have now the pleasure to acquaint you that best part of the Tobacco is disposed of at a price that will neat about 13 Sous P lb. two of the Ships are now ready to take onboard their return Cargoes which are now in store waiting-I expect one of them the Success Captain [James] Anderson will be dispatched in 10 days from this date ー for your government in preparing any Papers you may have to send to America ー Captain Wickes has been at Port L'Orient and will write you fully with respect to the Ships you desired him to examine there ー and an Inventory of the 36 Gun Frigate will be sent to Paris, and as Captain Nicholson will be on the Spot, he can form a judgement of the situation that Ships in ー and what may be still necessary provided you determine to purchase her ² ー I shoud be glad to know your sentiments with respect to any prizes that may be sent into any of the French Ports by American Privateers ー and wether you are of oppinion they will meet the protection of the Court of France ー I shall keep you regularly advised of every occurence here ー and in the mean time remain with much respect Gentlemen [&c.]