York Town [Pa.] March 19th: 1778—
Gentlemen.
May it please the Honorable Congress to be informed, that your humble servant wishes to leave this place tomorrow morning and proceed to some part of France as Speedily as possible;—Where I shall build a Vessel on a new construction, that will carry two, thirty two pounders, and eight 9 Inch Howitzers,with One Hundd: & Fifty Men.—With this Vessel I intend to Cruize for British East India Ships; and do not doubt but I shall be of much Service to the United States of America. Wherfore I beg your Honors will be pleased to grant me a Credit upon France for the Sum of One Thousand pounds Sterling; for which I will give the Honorable Congress a Mortgage upon my Estate, for the principal & Interest.—Or if it is more agreeable to the Honorable Congress, I will pay a Considerable part of that Sum in Continental Loan Office Bills, & Lottery Tickets.—I have, my own property, Twenty one of the latter. I hope your Honors will approve my Scheme, &Grant me this Assistance.—I am [&c.]
John Macpherson—1
L, DNA, PCC, item 78, vol. 15, pp. 321-24 (M247, roll 99). Addressed: "To/The Honorable/The Congress of The/United States of America."Docketed: "Capt McPherson/19 March 1778/Presented & ppd.."
1. Apparently this offer was never accepted. For more information on Macpherson and another of his schemes, see NDAR 2:138.
