Gentlemen

In a Letter sometime ago to our R Fenwick, we desired him to communicate to you that the Hope arrived at Nantes, was the once Port Henderson ² that you enquired after. We immediately wrote our Correspondent there (a French house) requesting their Offices in ,getting the Vessel Stopt till such time as they advised you, Or that those the Vessel were consigned to, engaged to See your demand if Lawfull made good ー they have answered us, that they do not chuse to meddle in that Affair, & that as it might bring the Court of France to declare whither she was Legally Stopt at Carolina or not, or a refusal to meddle in it, which in every thing betwixt English & American property they have hitherto declined, they did not think proper to have their Name in such an Affair, & even would not advise any one residing in France to Act on it, but Advised that the Gentlemen who have that Demand for their insurance should send over a Person on purpose to transact that business at Nantes, after wch his after residing in England will screen him from all Consequences let things turn out as they Will We must confess that seeing the Countenance shown to the A _____ns, it is hard to say what turn this Court may take, & cannot blame any one residing in this Country for every precaution or prudence, Altho if that Vessel had come to this Port we should certainly have followed your directions in endeavouring to get justice done you & the others concerned, & are yet ready to serve you in any Manner you may point out. in the present Case we would advise your sending over a person (recommended to a house there at Nantes) who would act in his own Name for the concerned, & this for the reasons abovementioned ー We remain very Sincerely Gentn [&c.]