[Extract]

All the Examinations, inquisitions and surveys of arms and Merchandise, Sir, have doubtless an object of great usefulness, since they have been thought necessary. They have at least Served to refute all the base Suspicions which have been feigned as to the excellence of the articles furnished; that is to say in good French, as to the honesty of Mr Hortalez. But was all this worth the time that it has cost us? . . .

Le Mercure and la Seine have sailed, one from Havre and the other from Nantes, at a season when they may make directly for the Continent ... I would not like to expose immense riches, such as the cargo of la Thérèse, by sending it directly to the continent. L'Amelie and la Thérèse will go therefore with your approval to St Domingo I send in the l'Amelie Mr Carabasse, my correspondent at the Cape² with instructions to get there before the arrival of la Thérèse, and to buy three or four Bermudian vessels, for the voyage between the Cape and the Continent, to ferry my cargoes, divided into portions, and vice versa, with my several cargoes and their returns, delivering them to the Commissioners of Congress, until Congress itself shall send armed vessels to the Cape to empty the store houses, which shall take care to keep always filled, provided that suitable returns be promptly made.