Sir,

The several methods we have hitherto taken for Supplying the army and Navy of this State with necessaries have proved ineffectual for that purpose & we are at present without a probability of being more effectually supplied in future. I have therefore on behalf of this State with the advice of the Council¹ adopted the following plan to be pursued in future. We propose to send all the vessels we are able to fit out proper for the European Trade to Nantz loaded with Tobacco where he shall direct both vessels and Cargoes to be sold, & the produce after purchasing and fitting out one swift sailing armed Vessel, to be laid out in the necessaries we want to be Shiped in French Vessels and as French property to Cape Francois & there reshiped in swift sailing pilot Boats which we shall provide to some of the safest ports to the Southward of our Capes but as from the scarcity of Vessels and Seamen here it will be impracticable by this method to export commodities sufficient to purchase all we may want, we propose to endeavour to procure a Credit with some Merchant in France for what may be further necessary to be shiped in the same manner and to the same place for which we propose to pay by shiping Tob^o. on our own Account, in any French Vessels, they may charter for that purpose, we propose to have such chartered Vessel loaded with Salt at Nantes on our account also and expect to pay a generous freight, both for the Salt delivered here, & for carrying the Tob^o. to Nantz, & to have them both insured if it can be done, at a reasonable premium;

We further propose to export what produce we can in our Small Vessels to Cape Francois, and to direct our Agent there, to charter such Vessels as he can to bring Salt here & carry Tobacco from hence either to Cape Francois, or to Nantes as he can agree, which will be added to our remittances after purchasing the few necessaries we may want in the West Indies, but as 'tis necessary for rendering this method effectual, that we should have a proper agent at Nantz to act for us & being lately informed of your residence there, I have with the advice of the Council, thought proper to appoint you agent for this State to superintend and direct all our affairs in France & on our behalf to enter into any Contract, or agreement necessary for effecting our purposes; not doubting but your Zeal for the cause of Freedom and regard for this your native Country, Will be sufficient Inducements for you to exert those abilities You are so well known to possess and all your endeavours for our service; I make no doubt but you may readily procure any assistance in the power of Mes^rs. Franklin & Deane and hope you will avail yourself of it as far as it is necessary; I should hope the trade of this State, thus confined to certain Ports Would be an object worthy the attention of the French Ministry, who might easily afford it some extraordinary Protection; our mercantile transactions at Nantz have hitherto been confined to the House of Mes^rs. J. Gruel & C^o. who I wish, still to have the preference in that way provided we can certainly be supply'd by them on the terms we propose, or on as good as any others offer; to them we shall continue to address our Vessels until we hear from you and shall give them notice of your appointment as our Agent & the terms on which we expect to be supplyed in future, and direct them to apply to you for instructions in whatever they may be at a loss & to follow such directions as you may think necessary to give them respecting any of our affairs, I must beg the favor of you to make the necessary engagements for supplying us with them or any other person you think proper as soon as possible and give me the earliest notice of it & attend to their execution. I am [&c.]

PS Since writing the within it has been reported to the Council that the Brigg Greyhound is a very swift sailing vessel upon which they have determined that she had better return here with a load of Salt than be sold. It also appears that Mes^rs. J. Gruel & C^o. have agreed with M^r. John King (who had powers from this State to make the Contract) to furnish them with a quantity of Goods to be shiped on their account and that another House have agreed to send a vessel loaded with Salt for the use of this State which shews that Contracts of the nature we wished, may be made at Nantz, these Contracts we hope to comply punctually with & that it will always Lay in your power to make such others as are necessary for us. Mes^rs. J. Gruel & C^o. have without any direction from us fitted out the Brigg Liberty as an armed Vessel & altho she may be improper for it yet it makes it unnecessary for us to have another, you will therefore be pleased to disregard our request for having one fitted out.

P. Henry