Sir

Hearing that one or more prise Ships are sent into St Malo supposed to be taken by some Arm'd Vessels in the service of the United States and Conceiving that by the Authority vested in me by the honble the Commissioners at Paris it is my Duty (in the Absence of Mr [Thomas] Morris) to take every step necessary for the public Good and the assistance of all concernd I do in their behalf and with the advise of the Friends to the Cause here request that you will apply to the House of De Segray Beaugeard fils&Co who will deliver you this for what ever Assistance you have Occasion for and take their advice and direction as to your future proceedings it will no doubt be prudent to Larid your cargo in some safe place as soon as possible before the news of your Arrival is much known, but of this these Gentn will be able to Judge according to circumstances which at this distance may not be known to me — If you are not in the Service of the Congress but on private account I do not pretend to direct you but as I conceive the house that I have mention'd to be the principal one in the place I can't but recommend you to Consign your self to them

I beg to be immediatly inform'd of the particulars of the Capture and in particular wether you have heard of the Reprisal Capt Weeks the Lexington Capt Johnston the Dolphin Capt Nicholson and where they at present are. in short I wish you to inform me of every p[a]rticular relative to our Concerns either public or private I am Yrs

To the Prize Master of any Ship
that may have been sent into St Malo
by any american Ship of War²