Sir.
I received your favour of the 17th and note the Contents as to the Man you mention in your last I cannot see how he can possibly Claim or expect to be paid any Share or part of Prize Money, as he Absolutely Run away from the Ship & thereby forfeited his Prize Money, As there is an Express Resolve of Congress that Says any Person or Persons whom deserts or Runs away from any Vessall in the Service of the United States of America, Shall forfiet all his Wages & Prize Money and every thing belonging to him, As I did not make this Resolve cannot break it, but if Doctor Franklin thinks it Neccessary so to do & will furnish me with an Order for so doing for my justification I will Cheerfully Submit and pay the Money, tho' I must Confess I do not think so great a Sacrafice is Neccessary & am Very Sorry to hear My Charactor is So bad in France, tho' for my Vindication Can Assure you Not one farthing of Money ever Was or ever Can be put in my Pocket — I ever was & hope ever Shall be Content wth my Own with[out] Coveting or desiring other Peoples Goods Please Communicate this to the Honble Ben: Franklin Esqr & if he will give me an order for paying their Respective Shares, I will Cheerfully comply and pay them — I think this highly Neccessary for my Vindication — there has three of my People Run away since I have been here, whom I think may with More Justice Demand their Wages & Prize Money, as they have done More for it, tho' I am Perswaded they Never will demand it, or do I think any but those at Nantes are equal to so great a Task — I would beg you to Propose this Simple Question to their Lawyer, Wheth er Men Employed on Board a french Man of War, After Runing Away before the expiration of the time they Agree'd for is intitled to Wages or Punnishment I am perswaded his Answer will be the Latter, if so in their Own Ship's Cannot Conceive why it should be otherwise in Our Navy as they Certainly Subject themselves to the Rules & Laws of our Navy when they Come & Sign our Articles Volentaryly of their Own free Will and Accord, As those two Men you Mention did — The Pilots Account Shall be made out & his Ballance Sent you by Next Post, for wch Please take his Receipt in full to prevent further trouble, from [&c.]
