Sir

I have this Day Received a Letter from the Honble the Commissioners at Paris informing me that the Captains Wicks Nicholson & Johnson are by the Express orders of the Congress under their Direction only & in consequence of that Authority they Direct me to take the charge of these Vessells &the prizes they have sent or may in future send into this or any other French port² this is on my part Equally unsolicited & unexpected but as I hold myself bound to Execute the Commissioners orders in the fullest Extent I take the Liberty of Notifying you Accordingly I am Yours