Baltimore 12 June 1778
Dear Sir
We have received your Letter of the 8th & that directed to our Brother John, with the Packets for France, 8 in Number.1 The first Set shall be forwarded by The Sloop America Captn Harrison who sails tomorrow for Martinico.— The other Set shall forward By The Schooner Savage Captn Geddes who will be ready to sail for same Place in a few days.—Both are very fast Sailing Vessels
The Packets you formerly sent to our Care was delivered to Captn Murray of our Brigg Saratoga,2 who sailed about two weeks agoe. It was unlucky you did not send these Letters a few days sooner, as the Conl Brigg Baltimore,3 and another Brigg which We are concerned in, sailed only last Monday for France.—Small Vessels are sailing for Martinico or Statia very frequently, but know of None that may be going for France shortly. We are Sir [&c.]
Saml & Robt Purviance
L, DNA, PCC, item 78, vol. 18, pp. 185–86 (M247, roll 100). Addressed at bottom of page: "Honble. James Lovell Esqr." Notation just below date: "recd 14th. " Docketed on separate page: “June 12th 1778/Messrs Purviance/recd. 14th..”
1. In his letter of 8 June, Lovell had requested that the Purviance brothers forward copies of a resolve of Congress of 5 May asking the American Commissioners in France to "use their best endeavours to procure the abolition" of the eleventh and twelfth articles of the Franco-American treaty of amity and commerce dealing with the duty-free status of molasses imported to America from the French West Indies and all American merchandise exported to those islands. JCC, 11: 460; articles eleven and twelve are on pp. 428-29. Lovell asked the Purviances to forward the resolves and Lovell's letter to John Adams “either directly, or by the Islands, giving critical instructions to keep them from falling into the hands of the Enemy. They are of great importance, and were unluckily omitted in three packets which are gone." DNA, PCC, item 79, vol. 1, p. 233 (M247, roll 105).
2. Maryland privateer brig Saratoga, Capt. Alexander Murray.
3. Continental packet brig Baltimore, Capt. Thomas Read, commander.
