Paris the 1st July 1777 afternoon
[Extract]
Monsieur le comte
I have received this instant the good news that l'Amphitrite, after a tedious passage of 85 Days, has arrived at Portsmouth 17 leagues to the north of Boston. The whole Crew was pushed to the brink of their strength and courage. They are now well. It is Capt. Heraud, commanding l'Mercure, and arrived from Boston in 23 Days who posted this good news on the 28th June on his arrival at Nantes.
Le Marquis de la Chalottais entered Charleston accompanied by 3 other French vessels on the 4th of May.
I learn also by letters from Cape Francais of the 18th Maythatthecargo of l'Amelia has luckily arrived at that port, and hasalready been sent out again, distributed amongst several American and Bermudian vessels, bought on my account at St Domingue. The officers who were at the Cape, Have also left on the schooner la Catherine, sent off without artillery, but merely with a cargo of one Hundred Casks of tafia for the Port of Dunkerque, which protects these officers from all danger on their passage to Boston. . . .
I Am very sorry to receive confirmation of the trouble some announcement that the Marquis de Bouillé made at Martinique on arriving there. It seems certain that France has conceded to England, the right of stopping and seizing any French vessel, coming from the Islands, which Will be loaded with produce for the mainland — what distress can have induced us to make such an agreement? 2
And the French ship—owners add this reflection. As the English often come to trade clandestinely in our coloriies, and carry away produce; if our French vessels fall in with any with sugar, coffee or cotton, recognized as coming from our Islands, they may then, by way of reprisal, since the French Government delivers them to their enemies, seize them and consider them as lawful prizes, although taken on the high seas. . . .
You see, by these details, that If we do not act well, we at least act quickly. But I much fear that there will soon be some shots fired, between the Merchant vessels of the French and English nations, who are at peace with each other; since one claims to be authorized to ruin the Commerce of the other, and this one is not at all in a humor to accede to the kindnesses of the French administration, towards the honest English at the expense of all its commerce.
