Gentlemen
The two last days have been employed in going to Painbeuf (about 30 miles hence) examining the Mercury, and returning to Nantes. ー I have the pleasure to inform you that what I have hither to seen is very satisfactory, the Mercury appears to be a very good Ship, 7 Years old, burden 330 Tons (Mr Peltrier [Peltier] thinks 350) 78 feet Keel, 26 feet Beam, 10 feet in the lower hold under the Beams, & 5 feet 4 Inches between decks, she was new sheathed about 6 months ago, & upon that sheathing has another sheathi~g of Deal to prevent the Worms from penetrating. ー her Riggin is in general very good, part of it new, she has 4 Cables each 120 Fathom, I of them has never yet been wet, another almost new, & the other two about half worn; she has 4 Anchors from 12 to 1500 wt besides a good Hauser and Kedge, two suit of Sails, some of which entirely new; in short I see no cause of Complaint, either of the Ship or the manner in which she is provided. She has accomodations for 4 and can have for 6 passengers in the great Cabin, and places may be made for 10 or 12 more between decks, but in the latter Case she must have so much less Cargo as these places can be well filled. The number of Passengers should be known as early as possible, that a sufficiency of provision may be provided. Mr Peltrier promises me that he wjll have rather more than less than 4 months but if I stay here, I shall see this myself. She has at present on board a quantity of Bricks well stowed for Ballast, & 1000 barrells of powder, she is now taking in Cases of Arms and Bales of Blankets &c. All her Cargo is ready, and I have examined the Fusils which turn out very much to my satisfaction, but I have taken 3 from different Cases and ordered them to be pack'd & sent to Paris for your own Inspection. the Bales I have yet opened are only Caps, which appear very well pack'd as to their preservation, but very ill as to their Bulk, having two coverings, and a large quantity of straw between, which appears to me useless. ー The Blankets particularly are pack'd too loosely ー according to the english method they would have been squeezed into half the Compass, and the covering of straw would have been saved. ー I shall examine the Bales of Cloth &c tomorrow ー Mr Peltrier says that she shall be ready to sail in 8 Days & if nothing unforseen happens I think this very practicable. I should here observe that Mr Peltrier is the Shipper of the Goods only so knows nothing of the quantity & Quality of the Contents (except of the Arms). They are sent from orleans on Acot of Mr Morrice Mercht at Paris, so that Mr Monthieu must see that the Invoices & necessary papers are sent here in time, if there is no delay in these particulars the ship may be dispatch'd as above. ー Her Guns are only 3 pounders, ー she has 14 of them, but I think it would have been better if they were larger. ー
It is reported here that there will be a stoppage at !'orient, I hope it is without Foundation or that the Amphitrite will get away before it comes. she was not sail'd the 15th, but I understand it is only the Wind that detains her, & I hope soon to hear of her Departure.
It may not be amiss to desire Mr Monthieu to procure some good Charts if they are to be had at Paris least they shouid be wanted. I have not yet examined the Captains, but I shall enquire about it to morrow, when I intend to have the pleasure of writing to you again. I have the honor to be Gentlemen [&c.]
