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Sir, It is impossible that at this date you can be a stranger to the important contest subsisting Between Great Britain and her (late) colonies, Neither can it be necessary for us to enter into any detail of the Origin, or history of the progress of the dispute, sufficient it is for our present purpose to inform your Excellency, that the good people of America grown quite impatient under the yoke of tyranny, and sore with the cruelty's Daily practised against them, have at length determined to shake of[f] the yoke and oppose at the revoque of every thing that is sacred and dear to mankind the future opperations of that government w[h]ich had determined to seize with a strong hand their property, and in violation of all natural, moral & Civil obligations to annihilate their liberty

These being the avowed purposes of the court of great Britain, pursued with the utmost violence, notwithstanding the many and frequent representations, and supplications of this people, their delegates in General Congress did resolve in July last to shake of[f] their dependence on such oppressors and to set up for free and independant States, as you will see by the printed declaration wich we have the honor to inclose

we depend principaly on the Virtue and Strength of our people to support this state of independancy, wich was loudly called for by them and received with universal marks of joy and approbation, but that we might not be wanting in any part of that duty we owe to ourselves, and posterity, we have sent a person to the Court of france to represent our present situation, and to sollicit a favourable disposition toward [us] as we are well assure[d] of the mutual and important advantages that will arise to both Country's from an alliance founded on just principles and supported by commercial intercourse.

The Court of france Cannot be insensible to her Own interest, and we have (uncertain) information that our resident is arrived and has meet a most favourable reception, but from himself we have not yet received any advice

we have also sent a young Gentleman to reside for some time at Martinico for commercial purposes. he has been favourably received, and informs us by authority of the general, that our Commerce will meet with Encouragement and protection in that island

as we Know well that the island of hispagnolia has Constant occasion for the produce of these states, and Vice Versa, these states will require large supplies of the produce of that island, we have been led by the consideration of mutual benefits to intrude upon your Excellency['s] time and to solicit your protection, and Encouragement of the Commerce Carried on between our inhabitants and yours. we do not Mean by this to Express a Wish that your Excellency should depart from the line of your duty, or that our people should interfere with the municipal laws and regulations of your Country: but we are well assured that the favorable Countenance of a Governor will greatly Encourage an infant commerce, and will paliate and Excuse such errors, neglects or crimes against the rules or laws as arise from ignorance of them

the great painstaking and the vigilance used by our Enemies to deprive us of the necessary supplies of arms and ammunition, has made it necessary for the Congress to institute a trading Committee, stiled the Secret Committee with tull powers to pursue such commerce as may be most likely to procure the articles wanted for the public Service. we the undersigned are members of that committee and members of the general Congress as will ap- pear by the Certificate from our president & Secretary. in consequence of the power we are Vested With, and of advice we have lately received of arms and ammunitions being now very plenty in your island, we have sent a young italian Gentleman that had resided here a Considerable time and is warmly attached to our Cause, to Cape francois, where We propose he s[h]ould remain tor the of receiving the Cargoes we send him, and shipping in return the articles we may order. his name is Mr Stephen Ceronio a Gent'n of good tamily at Genoa, and of exceeding good character and we beg to recommend him to your Excellency['s] Patronage, and protection during his Stay on the island, not doubting but his Own Merit will recommend himself to your trendship and Civilities, Should he at any time have opportunitys of purchasing Such goods as we Want, and not have sufficient effects in hand we beg your Excellency would in such Cases assure the Owners of them, that we shall Constantly remit him sufficient to discharge all Contracts he makes for our Account

We hope a fovourable acceptance of this application and have the honor to he your Excellency [&c.]

[Endorsed] Pour copie conforme a l'original
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