To J D Schweighauser agent at Nantze— Sir
as I have the good fortune to bring three Prizes1 into this port I have wrote your Honour to know what to do with them as Mr James Moylan is no more to Serve as Agent for this Port. I being unacquainted with the Duties on Such articles that his Christian Majesty Ought to Receive would be glad you Send a Sufisciant Person to Sell them to Avoyd Impositions I have applyd to Mounsieur Pushelberg to Sell them as their Cargos is Perrishing but for answer he has no Authority for so doing2 I have made an Estimation which is thought Very generous by the Gentlemen of Lorient for my own and my Crews Parts and to Leave the Continental half in your hands Should be glad if Mounsieur Pushelberg would advance the Sum that I may be Ready for Sea on Receiving my Orders from Parris as I Expect them daily Sir I am Convincd your Sencible of what Uneasyness may happen by the Offercers & Sailors Leaving what they have Justly due behind them & Perhaps never See france nor Prize money after Leaving this Should be Very happy as I am bound to Sea Imediately you would Settle the matter as Soon as Possible I Remain with the greatest Esteem & Respect [&c.]
Saml. Tucker
LB, MH-H, Samuel Tucker Papers (MS Am 812).
1. Brig Britannia, brig Elizabeth, and an unidentified Scottish brig.
2. As seen in Schweighauser’s reply of 15 July, below, Puchelberg did have the authority to sell the prizes.