L'Orient March 13th 1777
Gentlemen
I Take this Opertunity to Inform you Of the proceadings of the Commissary of this port Which Seam very odd to me as I have Recd. no lnstrucktions from you he Sent for me to Day and told me I must Get my Ship Cleaned & put Every thing on bord As fast as possible & then Departe the port Immediately He further lnformd me he Should Send persons to See That We Did not Delay anytime these are very Extraordinary orders & Such as I Should Suppose you Are Allready Acquainted With If So Am much Surprized I am not Informd, by you in What maner or How to proceed So As not to Giv Umbrage to the King or Ministers I Can Get tl)e Ship Ready in 8 or 10 Days At furthest But Shall Be very Glad to heare from You As Soon As possible or At Least before I Sail If I Should be Drove ou.t of this port by the Commissary Without your orders I Cannot tell Where to Go to Wait your Instrucktions or Wethere to procead Directly for America or not, As I Am orderd not to Enter any french port a.gain; I have Recd. none your favrs, Since those by Mr Defrancy & which I Cannot Act. for but hope youl Soon Write me fully & Advise in What maner to procead from Gentlemen [&c.]
Lambt Wickes
P S pleas answer this As Soon As possible & Exskuse it as I have Scarcely time to Write before the post Departs
1. Franklih Papers, vol. 5, pt. 2, 110, APS.