[Extract]
. . .Thos Morris — who I informed before was an Agent for the Congress at Nantes & the person appointed by them to do all their Shipping business &c — has led such a dissipated life for some months past, that Doctor Franklin and Mr Deane thought it prudent to appoint another person in his place (say Jonathan Williams a Nephew of Docr Franklins) — In Consequence of Morris's behaivour Deane & Franklin, wrote to the Congress (and not to his Brother, who put him under their protection) Complaining of the same and desiring he might be removed — As he was a detriment to their Cause, and disgrace to America in General — As soon as this News got to America, his Brother Robt Morris, apply'd to the Congress — and told them he would be happy to know if the business transacted by his Brother here, did not meet their approbation they reply'd in the Affirmative, and voted that the said Morris Should be continued in his Office, and further; they do not censure the Conduct of Deane and Franklin a little, they say he Stands too much on triflles — Morris gives out that Deane is to be recalled — which he asserts he has on Black and white — The letter from his Brother to Deane & Franklin, I have seen — Morris of Phia therein informs them, that they might have wrote to him and not to the Congress Complaining of his Brothers behaivour — and Concludes after many severe reprimands — "that 'tis not all the Commissioners in France that are able to Remove his Brother from his Present Office, in Spite of all the Nephew or Relations they may have — or wish to provide for. . .
Weakes and Johnson, together with the other American Privateers was ordered out some time since by this Court, — the former of which sailed since my Illness with dispatches to the Congress — but the latter remains still at Morlaix — and a Capt Day at L'Orient in a Sixteen Gun Ship (private property)2 the latter is affraid to go out, as he is sure of being taken if he should attempt the same, owing to the Vigilence kept by your Ships of War in those Seas — The prizes that were brought into Nantes some time since will be delivered up or forfeited to the King of France —
A Brother of Deane's arrived here last Week from America by the way of Havre his business is to go out in a Sutable Season with a Cargo for America — by the same route that he came, (say by french West Indies) I hope I Shall be able to give you sufficient notice before he sails —
The Vessell that Hynson was to have gone out in, has been stop'd by an order from this Court, and final Stop put to that business — Carmichael informs me that the French will listen to nothing since the loss of Ticonderoga — it was a place well known to them, and which they say cost the English some thousands of men last war, by a hand full of Frenchmen — Indeed within my knowledge it has hurt them exceedingly — they declare the Yankeys will not fight. . .
The Vessell that come from America are entered in those ports as if from St Eustatia &c which has often deceived the most Vigilent Eye. . .
Nicholson has got back to Nantes again to overlook and give direction for his Ship building there, which I mentiond before, — I hope you'lI put stop to same as she will be a Vessell of considerable force The Vessell which Nicholson had before, lays at St Malo, she is small and Just fitted for the purpose they intend her, (say to Carry over dispatches to the Congress) — She will sail some time next month, and is commanded by a Capt Brown, 'twould be a grand Stroke to take her, which may be done Very easialy, as the Capt is a poor indelent Yankey. . . .
