Nantes June 1. 1778
Sir
I have learnt with infinite Satisfaction your safe Arrival at Paimbeuf and long much to have that of seeing you here till then I have to inform you that I have this morning procured a post Chaise, and Horse to Captn Jones, and furnished him with Money to Conduct him to Paris, with a Letter of Introduction to the Honble Comm—1 and have also paid according to your Order 300 Livres to Mr Geo. Richards your Secry —and now write to you by him, to beg you would act with me freely and send me a note of whatever you may want for your Ships use. I am exceedingly concerned to hear you are kept from coming up here by a Rheumatick Complaint but hope this fine weather will soon drive it away and procure me the pleasure of Assuring you personally that I am [&c.]
John Daniel Schweighauser Con Agt
PS. I open this Letter Again to beg you would take care of your Prisoners since the Report they might spread might be detrimental to your Prize2 or may be the means of her being Claimed when she Arrives, she must be declared entered as a vessel put in by Stress of weather I give Notice of this to Mr Odea recommdg you to him any thing [you] may want for the Ships use he has Orders to supply—3
LB, MiU-C, Abraham Whipple Papers. Addressed below postscript: “To Abraham Whipple Esqr Command Con. Frig Providence.” Notation in margin: “I.D.S. to A W June 1. 78–.”
1. On the mission of Capt. William Jones, Continental Marines, see Whipple to Benjamin Franklin, 31 May, NDAR 12: 781. Schweighauser’s letter of introduction has not been found.
2. Brigantine Lord Grosvenor, William Tyler, master.
3. In his reply of 3 June, Whipple assured Schweighauser that “none” of the prisoners was “permitted to be at large during the Night as it might be detrimental.” He also expressed happiness at the appointment of Jacques Odea, merchant at Paimboeuf, as his broker “not only from his skill in the English language but also from his comprehensive knowledge of business.” MiU-C, Abraham Whipple Papers, Letter Book.
