Gentlemen

I arrived last Evening in good Health with my Traveling companion, in spite of the bad roads and the hardships of passage. We began the Visit to the shipyards, and we shall immediately have a meeting with the best Builders in order to start the work; there is neither a lack of material nor of good labor; M B[aux] seems very satisfied with their way of working which he finds vastly Superior to that of the French. ²

The news of the arrival of Your Captain, in Port Louis, with 5 Prizes one of which is the Lisbon Packet boat, is giving rise here to many rumors; Sir should You be able to send here in French Ships, or others, the Cargoes which You are not able to Sell in France, You may depend upon my House, to take full advantage of the opportunity, & to Give you an excellent Price.³

I have ordered that You be Sent a Copy of the Leyden Gazette, at my brother's address. It is important to your Interests, that You send me all the good news that You Receive to have them inserted, in our Dutch & French Papers, in order to uphold Your credit & to cultivate the good will of the Country, which I find favors Your cause more than before, which pleases me very much. 

It is very much wished that the Famous & Respected Doctor decides to come next month, to warm us with His presence, and to revive that Interest we have in matters pertaining to You. I am certain that he will succeed in everything & that he will be able to find the right time to obtain some money from our Capitalists under reasonable conditions ⁴

General York ⁵ has just presented a note, a Copy of which I shall try to send You; it was so Violent that it embittered many minds & I learned that the Reply will be fittingly firm; moreover I have been assured that new Warships will be fitted out, that the Resolution has been made to have our Flag Respected, Without Humiliation by the British. I have the honor with the most sincere and respectful devotion, Gentlemen [&c.]

Please advise me as to what you have done regarding the Farmers General, so that I may write accordingly.

To the Honble Benjamin Francklin & Silas bean Paris

[Endorsed] Sir George Grand Amsterdam 27 Feby 1777