The Hon^ble. Siles Deane Esq^re.
Dear Sir

By a letter I took the liberty to write the Hon^ble. Commissioner's last Wednesday, advising of the Henriettas Safe arrival from Hamb^g.—You'd see thereby I was then at L'Orient. The conduct & inconsistencey of my Correspondent M^r. Berrard, carried me thither at a few hour's notice from Green, and I am Satisfyed had I not made my appearance (very unexpectedly to him indeed) he woud Retard the dispatch of my Vessels, without the least cause, except the Suspitions of his own heart, that I had become disgusted with his Management—My Presence changed the Scene, and I now look for the Ship with the first fair wind, having falen down to Isle Groye before I left L'Orient. Nevertheless, as no accounts are Rendered as Yet, can't say anything of this Gentleman's management former delays & neglects on his Part has accummulated the expence, nor have I any remedy for what I may suffer in that respect, but to gaurd against him in future.—

On my return here, I received your Sundry favours of the 1^st. 2^nd. & 8^th. Inst:¹ all which being now before me shall Reply to each in their order.—Respecting the first, M^r. Moylan will set out in a day or two for L'Orient to have a converseation with M^r. Gourlade, & hope his personal presence may accomplish his wishes to the Satisfaction of all parties.—We want a friend at the place of his intended Residence, to pay some Attention to our Interest, the impositions of our present Factors being too Glaring to escape Notice²

Particulare attention shall be paid to your instructions in Regard to what you Recommend concerning Your Interest in the Ship L’Brune, in case she gets Safe to America, and will expect (as You Propose) Your Sentiments further on the Same Subject Previous to her Sailing—As fast as possible her Cargo will be put on board, when compleated will be able to ascertain the Freight, and then advise for Your government, and do for you in every Respect as for my Self.—³

I come now to reply to that of the 2^d. addressed to M^r Hodge and me, in consequence of What you proposed on the Score of the two Cutters.⁴—Am Satisfyed to accept of the property in both between him and me, belonging to the public,—to be assigned over to us at the first port (or ports) the Order from you may reach the Captain, or agent You employ, takeing an Inventory of the hull & materials, with a Specification (Signed by the Captain & Officers) of the condition in which they may appear when Dilevered—Leaveing it finally thereafter, to Setle the Vallue of the public Share's with Congress (or Committee of Congress) in America. And to whom M^r. Hodge and I, shall pay, on Account for Same, when ascertained w^th. the Hon^ble. Members of Congress, by either of us, or by those whom we may impower to bring it to a speedy Setlement.— You know my motives in this engagement, are principally to oblige M^r. Hodge who has lost much of his time in prosecuting this line of business to Serve the Public & himself without any material private Advantage, Besides, his determination to Risque himself, in case I assumed part of the direction as an Owner, was no Small inducement to listen to your proposal tho I never had any concern of the kind heretofore.

I shall not incommode Mr^. Williams, untill the Men engaged & now onboard the Small Cutter⁵ are ordered in Some other vessel, I Shall Receive her so soon as it Suites him to dispense with her, & Push her off to a Station clear of those Seas, which am to fix with M^r. Hodge previous to his departure—She is only fit to carry about Sixteen hands with a couple of months Stores, any distant voyage, consequently of no use as a Packet or Merchant Vessel from hence to America. She may nevertheless Answer as a consort for the other in certain cruizes

The day before I set out for L'Orient, I received a letter from the Hon^ble. A: Lee, From which, have copyed a paragraph, in said Epistle to me, Respecting the Bargain of the Cutter between you and me, And my Answer thereto, being likewise copyed on same piece of paper, I send it herewith for Your perusal, that You may Judge of it, & act as to you may Seem best.⁶ At same time, from this correspondence with me, Woud you not think it adviceable to get the two other Gentlemen Commissioner's, to Join You in the Assignment of those Cutters to M^r. Hodge & me? Circumstances & my own observations, lead me to see it necessary for you, to Act as much as possible with consent & approbation of your Coleagues, least your own Seperate destinct Service's, for the public in Your present Station (however well intended) may be misrepresented, or misconstructed—If any of the Hon^ble. Gentlemen, shoud have any objection to the terms of our agreement, I freely disclaim any Pretension's to the Bargain.—M^r. Hodge Sets out tomorrow for Spain, therefore, in case of any Alteration from a prospect of greater advantages to the Public by keeping the Vessels, Write in Course to M^r. Hodge, that he may Return, or forefit what may occurr for the benefite of the present Owner's—

On the other hand, if mutually approved of, and that the Assignment are Sent me,Shall transmite the Obligation you want in Course, corresponding with our Agreement, that every thing May appear fair to bear examination, happen what will

Your Last (had not the Property arrived Safe,) woud Puzzle me much haveing no instruction's, or any descretionary Power from the Committee of Congress to Effect Insurance,⁷ I wished to Receive the Commissioners answer to that Letter, in justification of my self, & as a proofe of my Attention in consulting them. It may still be proper I have it as the most Regulare mode of doing business, and beg You may Procure it for me, to Serve in future for my government—What occurred to you Respecting the Ranger,⁸ Occurred to me at the very instant I was writeing M^r. Lee, and mentioned it to him in particulare, hope You may be able to Possess me of Private instructions for Jones, that I may manage to join all the force I can, unobserved, to take their departure together.—None can be more Conscious then I am, to get the Goods Sent off, it is of consequence and a Valluable Property collected here safe from Russia & Germany on the best term's.—Believe I wish nothing so much as to have all at Sea, & off my hands. Pray God they may all get Safe.—I am [&c.]

NB. Am uneasey & anxious for the unhappie Situation of Philad^a. Much do I Long to hear from the Southern Parts of our Country—The Northern very fortunatly Secured their Peace, on which I heartely congratulate You & all our Country Men. I Suppose Bankcroft coud Scarsely speak a Sentance for a week after the News Reached You Complim^ts. to the Doctor—