[Nantes July 31. 78]
Dear Sir
I am favoured with your esteemed Letter of the 28 Instant and am glad to see that you have safely received your Anchor, The Bread Brandy Buckshot & Medicines have also I hope reached you as they were forwarded the day before Yesterday they were ready before but the Continual Rains we have had made me put it of ’till then— By this Barge you will receive all the articles for the Ranger as specified on the other side1 which you will be kind enough to receive & deliver to Cap Simpson2 when the occasion offers—I shall be obliged to you for reguliarity sake to give a receipt to the Boatmen
Last night your Prisoners3 arrive here I am extreamly puzzled what to do with them—Reiterating you my sincere & harthy wishes for your welfare and happiness I conclude in assuring you that I am always with true esteem & consideration Dear Sir Your mo: humble [&c.]
Mr Schweighauser Conl Agent Dobreé4
Inclosed your Passport & Clearances which youll please to communicate to Mr. Odea—5
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Mr. Schweighauser suffers from his Rhumatism his Worthy Lady-my rib & Sisters join me in Wishes for your success & beg our compliments to all your Officers from Yours Dobreé excuse my hurry & scribling I beg— Mr. S has been obliged to write to you the Chev. de la forest affair this Morng. but I must beg you would be kind enough not to mention his name as this Chevailler has some relations here6
LB, MiU-C, Abraham Whipple Letter Book. Addressed at top of first page: “Abraham Whipple Esqr. Commander of the Continen/tal Ship of war Providence/at Paimbeuf.” Docketed: “Mr Schweighausers/Letter Nantes July 31. 78/Copied.”
1. The list of goods has not been found.
2. Lt. Thomas Simpson had been placed in command of Continental Navy ship Ranger on 16 July.
3. Presumably, the crew of the captured brig Lord Grosvenor.
4. Peter Frédéric Dobrée, who was Schweighauser’s son-in-law, had written this letter on behalf of his father-in-law. The portion below the signature Dobreé wrote for himself.
5. Jacques Odea.
6. See Schweighauser to Whipple, 30 July, above.