Paris, 23rd August, 1777.
[Extract]
. . .In a word Cunningham by his first and second bold Expedition, is become the terror of all the Eastern Coast of England & Scotland, and is more dreaded than Thurot was in the last War — But though this distresses our Enemies it embarrasses us, we sollicited his enlargement & Mr Hodge engaged for his going directly for America — I know not how his engagement was expressed, but to appease the British Ministry and drive off an instant War Mr Hodge has been arrested and Confined — His friends need not be in distress for him, he will soon be at Liberty — He merits much from his Country being ready at all Times to serve and promote its Interests —
. . . the Ship General Mifflin after Cruizing some time on the Coast of England and Ireland put into Brest and there under Continental Colours Saluted the Admiral, who after consulting His officers returned the Salute which caused much Speculation and shows that the Officers as well as the other Orders in this Kingdom are much in our Interest — But the Politicks of this Country are intricate & embarrassed with connections & alliances on the Continent of Europe which with the State of their Fleet and their Sailors being abroad in the Fishery &c puts off bold & decisive measures. some other Prizes have arrived in different Ports — particularly two valuable Jamaica Men at L'Orient2 a few Days since sent in by the Capts Babson & Kendricks — This is the brief state of the Proceedings of our Cruizers who have put into the Ports of this Kingdom — The Prizes are sold without Condemnation & consequently to a very great Loss as the whole is conducted Secretly & put too much in the Power of Agents —
Tho' these Cruizes have not been profitable to us they have been of infinite Prejudice to our Enemies, both to their Commerce & reputation — Nothing can be more humiliating to these once Proud Lords of the Ocean then the Insults they receive on their own Coasts And from those they so lately despised. . .