Gentlemen,

I take the Liberty, of acquainting you that in obedience to Orders from the Honble the Marine and Secret Committees of Congress, bearing date the 9th ulto, I immediately repaired here in Order to proceed in the French Ship Amphitrite from hence to Charlestown South Carolina and thence to France, the intention of the Secret Committee was first to avail of this Ships Guns and Men to make a Cruizing Voyage to France. On my arrival there my Orders are to proceed immediately to Paris, to put a Letter into your Hands, and then to take Command of a "Fine Frigate" and to receive Orders from you respecting my future Proceedings. But the Captain of the Amphitrite Monsr Fautrel, has absolutely refused to permit my Pro­ceeding with him in any other Character than as a Passenger, as he thinks it will be a dishonor to the French Flag to suffer an American Commission to supersede his, nor will he consent to Sail for Carolina unless on Condi­tions such as Colo Langdon the Agent doth not think himself Authorized to Insure. A week hath elapsed since this Account, with duplicates hath been forwarded to the Honble Committee, at the same time Colo Langdon has proposed to them, that I should proceed directly to France in a new Continental Sloop of War of 18 Guns, which he is now fitting, and is in great forwardness,² he has also proposed that this Vessell, should be con­ tinued under my direction in Order to strengthen my hands and enable me the better to Effect any Services which you may find necessary.

The Captain of the Mercure, Monsr Heraut for Nantes by whom I send this, had the Politeness to offer a frank Acceptance of the Proposition which had been made to Monsr Fautrel, but I declined his Offer, as his Ship is of a very inconsiderable force (consisting only of 10 Three pounders) and as I did not think myself Authorized to depart from the Express letter of my Orders. I now wait the Secret Committee's determination which must reach this Place before either the Amphitriteor the New Ship, can be got in readiness for Sailing, and I think the probability is, that Colo Langdon's proposition will be Adopted.

I ardently wish to be again in Active Service, and in the meantime the Prospect I have of being shortly under your direction affords me a very singular Pleasure for altho' I am personally unknown to you, I Altogether Esteem your Characters, and have the Honor to be, Gentlemen [&c.]

The Honble. — B. Franklin, S. Dean, & A. Lee Esqrs
Commissioners at the Court of Paris.