Gen^n.

Inclosd is a Letter which I most ernestly desire you will deliver to the minister of marine—You will Judge from the Contents we have not been Treated in a manner agreeable to the Character we appear in—I think the Honour of the united states violated in this Instance—and must if Posible demand satisfaction; in my Person, as their officer I represent the States and whatever Ill Treatment I meet with as an officer, is an Insult offered to them. the Commissary here took upon him to acquse us of delay, of being at Paris on Pleasure, and that we did not design to to sea, that we was not doing anythng toward fitting the ships &^c &^c. and said the ships should go to sea, and that Instant he orderd Two Pilots onboard to Carry the ships out don or not don (is this Friendship or Insolence of office?) we stay'd here on Promise of asistance and p;otection and now thy want to turn us out in the face of an enemy without guns and provisions—I am satisfyd our officers have used the utmost dispatch their vile Coustoms will allow of—had they given us free leave As have taken our own method we should have been long ago ready-the ships are now in the Road, with their Ballast and water, tommorrow shall begin to take in the Guns and Provisions—I am exceedingly vexd to think I Cannot Convince them that we are heartily rid of them and that we want to get away, full as much as they want to have us gon—they had better debar the american ships of war any access, not play. this fast and looss game it is Triffeling with Serious things—you will please to Translate the Letter and give it a proper adress—you have nothing to fear from any rash act of ours here; no, I will hold a Candel to—a Little Longer for the sake of Conveniency to those that are obligd to be in their Clutches; neither am I insensable we have hitherto been obligd to the French, nor do I doubt to see the day they will be obligd to us—for they soon must Joyn us to thrash the English; or we Joyn England to help to thrash them-I am [&c.]

So I Leave you to Judge the Consistancy of delivering the Letter but urge it exceedingly, as to myself The Commissary in very Insolent terms told me our delays would make us forfit the Love of the King and government and deprive us of that Indulgence they wish'd to Shew us