Sir

You Commanding the Mere Bobie Packet Now distined for Nants in France, and Equipt for Sea are to Embrace the first fair wind and Sail for sd Port where when it shall please God you arrive. It's my Direction you Deliver the Dispatches which you have here with in a Lead Box, to the Order of the Honbl Benja Franklin, Silas Deane and Aurther Lee Esqs American Commissioners at the Court of France. — It's more then Probable Mr Williams Will be at Natz, who will have Directions for to Receive the Packet — I am Directed by the Committee of Congress to give orders that the Lead Chest with the Dispatches be hove over Board and Sunk Rather then fall into the hands of our Enemies the Britians You would do well also to Destroy these Orders, in Case the enemy Come on board of you to Serch —

From your Close Attention, and Frugality in your Business while here, I've no Doubt but you'll take the Utmost Care, and proceed with the greatest Dispatch in your Power, keeping the best look out possable to avoid the Enemies Ships on this Coast especially — Wishg You good Passage and Safe Arrival — am very Respectfully [&c.]