Adams Papers
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The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser, 13 September 1778

The Commissioners to J. D. Schweighauser

Passi September 13.1 1778

Sir

The Therese has arrived at [Nantes]2 and her Cargo is consigned to Us. We have determined to make Sale of this Cargo, and reserve the Proceeds for a particular Purpose. We therefore, hereby request and impower you, to demand and recive her Cargo,3 make sale of it to the best possible Advantage, transmit Us an Account sales as soon as may be, and reserve the Proceeds of Sale for our further orders.

We have the Honour to be informed by His Excellency, M. de Sartine, that he has taken Measures concerning the Prisoners, and We have the Pleasure to inform you that We have, received from this Minister a Passport for a Cartel Ship to come from England to Nantes or L’orient, with American Prisoners, which ship we hope will take off, of your Hands and ours all the British Prisoners, now in France, which have been taken by American Vessells public or private. This Passport We transmitted to England, Yesterday. <We are with great Respect>, &c. We hope, at length that these unhappy People, both British and Americans, who have been so long in Captivity, will be restored in a very short time to their Liberty. If they are not, it shall not be our fault.

We wish the Balimore to sail as soon as possible, having no particular orders to give concerning her.

We take notice that you have charged five Per Cent for Commissions which we think too much, we are willing to allow you the Customary Commission, which we understand is two Per Cent.

LbC (Adams Papers).

1The recipient’s copy apparently bore the date of 14 Sept. (Schweighauser to the Commissioners, 24 Sept., below).

2The location of the Thérèse was not given in the Letterbook copy, which served as a draft, and is supplied from Beaumarchais’ letter to Benjamin Franklin of 5 Sept. (PPAmP: Franklin Papers). See also the Commissioners to Beaumarchais, 10 Sept. (above).

3Capt. John H. Richard of the Thérèse was informed of this order in a letter of 17 Sept. from the Commissioners (LbC, Adams Papers).

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