Gentlemen: I have learned from America that there was a difficulty on the arrival of the supplies sent to America through your house in knowing whether they were for Congress or for Mr. Gerry to whom they were consigned. Possibly you explained that to Mr. Gerry, and his absence might have occasioned the doubt. At all events you will have the goodness in future to write so clearly as to prevent any mistake of that kind.
When any prize made by any Contnental armed vessel in the service of the United States is sent into Bilboa or the adjacent port, you have my authority to sell her to the best advantage, reserving half the proceeds for the Congress, at my disposal, as their representative in Spain. The other half is the property of the captain and the crew.
I beg you will inform me, by return of post, what interest you give for money put into your hands. They give here at the rate of six per cent., on condition that it be not drawn out of their hands under one month's notice. If your terms are as good, I should prefer depositing what I have with you. I have the honor to be, etc..
