[Extract]
Monseigneur

Permit me to impart to you my uneasiness with regard to our great affair, and, above all, as to the man who has the charge of it.

You have seen the contract passed between the secret committee of the Colonies, and ratified by the General Congress, of the one part and the Sires Pliarne and Penet of the other; so we could not doubt the intentions of the Congress. But it seems likely enough that, having but very recent and slight knowledge of these two men, who have offered themselves to them at a moment when they were not in a position to choose, they have accepted their proposals, without, however, having full confidence therein, and that they have taken what precautions they could to bridle him whom they were sending into France charged with their commissions.²

M. Penet was born in Alsace the son of an artillery store keeper who, having many children, could give them but a mediocre education. This one went to seek his fortune in America, and, at his departure, did a stroke of business, not indeed of a dishonest man but of a not very scrupulous adventurer. He obtained from M. de Monthieu, 600 Muskets upon credit as a private venture and their lender was many years without receiving news of him; but, at last, when he believed all lost he received about half his principal and interest combined. This story is well vouched for. One cannot conclude much from it if there was nothing to support it. Let us pass to another point.

This M. Penet has told me that he has letters from Messrs. Franklin and Rush for me, which remain in Holland with his large pack and that he has sent to have it forwarded to me here. I am impatient to receive this packet, which will, perhaps, teach me more of the way of thinking of the American Committee. Meanwhile this man evinces the greatest desire to form a partnership to share with me, upon very liberal terms, all the benefits of the immense trade of which the most fortunate prospect seems to offer itself to him alone; whence it seems possible to conclude that he feels the need of a little support.

Finally, what appears to me more conclusive than everything else, is that he confided to me last night that for all consignments he shall make either of men or stores he will be obliged to draw upon M. Swenghausen,³ or Chevisgouze banker, at Nantes, but that the letters which shall authorize him therein were not delivered to him at once, and are only to come to him by the, vessels expected at Nantes from America, to take in cargo-proof that they have not thought fit to put themselyes altogether at his discretion.

That being the case, Monseigneur, it seems to me necessary, in the first place to try and get to the bottom of all that, in the second place to provide in one way or another for the pressing needs of our good friends the Colonists of America.

To fulfil the first object, ー would there be no means of making inquiry in Alsace about him personally, at Nantes as to the power entrusted to him and the advices transmitted from America to the banker Swengause [Schweighauser]? This latter point is the most important, but only a commandant or intendant, commisssoned thereto by the Court could manage it. That is too far beyond my reach. Still, could we not facilitate and accelerate the arrival of the packs from Holland, which should contain these letters, with details, more or less, about him?

And supposing that we could only deal with much reserve and caution with the Sieur Pennet, how could we contrive so as not to leave the Colonies destitute of the resources most necessary to their defence, in which France has so great an interest? I am very devoted to them, looking upon this new State almost as my second country. I flatter myself that they honour me with a singular confidence and I would rather die than abuse it in any way; but my arms are not long enough to embrace an object of this importance. I implore your goodwill for them, your protection for myself. I have the honour to be with profound respect [&c.]