Sir

I flatter myself you will Pardon the liberty I take to acquaint you that a Certain Ph: Merckle¹ a German, has found Credit enough at Leige to Purchase

3000 fusils of the Prussian Modell

2000 lighter D^o.

200 Brass Blunderbusses.

100 Iron D^o.

200 Swivel Guns—of 1^lb Caliber

1000 Pairs of Cavalry Pistols

5000 Spare Gun locks

1000 Spare Pistolo^'s.—

Which are now actually in Amsterdam—But as the failure of the Remitance (by the Shipwrecks on the Coast of Holland) put a stop to his progress, the House of Hornica, Fiseaux & C^o. at Amsterdam, have interposed their Credit, & have received Orders from M. Grand the Banker at Paris entrusted with the Conduct of these Expeditions—to pay the Engagements of Merckle & assist him to ship them to America—A M^r. Deane,² brother to the American Commissioner at Paris, left that City last Tuesday for Amsterdam, from whence he proposes to Embark for America—He lately arrived at Nantes from Guadaloupe—and probably with Merckle may sail in the New Ship lately built & to be Commanded by M. Boux³ (Brother to the Chevalier). She was launched from M. Staats Wharf at Amsterdam about Six Weeks Since, & is of a Construction too remarkable to escape the slightest notice. You will make any use you please of this intelligence, as my wishes are to prevent the destructive Success of the Enterprise. I have the Honor to be [&c.]

Poland Street. [London]

the 21 Octr. 1777