Nantes 18th Sept 1777
[Extract]
. . . P. S. The renewal of the order from Mr De Sartine was occasion'd by two West India Merchant prizes2 bro't in here by Capts [James] Babson &[John] Kendrick Commanders of two Privateers belonging to Messrs Babcock & Blair in Boston & Winthrop Sergeant & Co at Cape Anne. These prizes and their Cargoes have been seized & are now detained by Government here after the greatest part was sold. The Capts were offered £16000 Sterg for the two and the Buyers to take all risks — this they refused, saying they wd rather burn them than take that price. — Afterwards they put them under the care of myself and Mr Jonathan Williams, a Bostonian and Nephew of Dr Franklin, to sell — But their own conduct was such that it occasion'd their seizure wch I not only forsaw but foretold to many here, therefore avoided recvg any part of the Goods or Money to stear as clear as possible of Blame. The whole negotiation was left to Mr W. the Capts Countryman I only advising every particle of which the Capts thought fit to disregard & now they blame every body but themselves, however it is a happiness that many here can witness to the probity of my conduct, particularly Mr Wm Blake a Gentleman of one of the first fortunes and families in So Carolina.
1. William Lee Folders, Letter Book (August 9, 1777 - June 24, 1778), 43-46, VHS.
2. Prizes were Clarendon and Hanover Planter entered at Nantes as American vessels under the false names of Hancock and Boston.