Sir

Being informed that M^r Schweighauser gave you the reports of yesterday from Brest I shall not take up your time with another relation of it¹ only am anscious for to morrows post to know with certainty whether Kepples fleet are returned or kep the Sea you as an Officer of the navy can draw inferences and form a Superior judgement of the result of this engagement than I can pretend to do as such permit me to leave you to your own reflections I wish they would but give us ten of the best Ships in this Squadron returned for Shelter,² and leave it to ourselves to find men for the service of the United States. There is a young man returned here lately from Jersey, engaged I find to go in the frigate with you, Captain Kelly³ who is now here is in much want of a mate on whom he can depend his first mate & Crew being Chiefly Europeans and strangers to him his Brigg is loaded in part with public Property & in reading [i.e.,

readying] to proceed & take Shelter under your wings as far as it proves Convenient to both, if you can dispense with Abraham Freeland he seems inclined to Accept of a Mates Birth & proced with Captⁿ Kelly it would not only be a security of property but a real Satisfaction to the Captain to have one trust worthy on this intended Voyage—I do not by this Application mean to interfere with you in any respect being persuaded if it is Convenient and Consistent with your own present Situation you will readily Concur and Assist at least where the Interest of the United States is Concerned having therefore no doubt Captain Kelly of the Brig Peggy will get away with you he will be instructed to keep by you till he gets quite off the European Seas Unless your Cruize lead you to part sooner I beg therefore you keep sight of him and of Maggie⁴ that they may benefit by your protection as far as possible wishing you every success & safety—believe me to be [&c.]

Nantes August 3^d 1778—