The American Commissioners to Peter Amiel, 23 June 1778
The American Commissioners to Peter Amiel2
ALS:3 University of Virginia Library
Passi near Paris June 23 1778
The foregoing is a true Copy of original Instructions from Congress4 to Commanders of private Ships or Vessels of War, having Commissions or Letters of Marque and Reprisal, which you are strictly enjoyned and required to observe.
B Franklin
Arthur Lee
John Adams
To Peter Amiel Commander of private Sloop of War, the Alliance
2. See the note on Arthur Lee to BF above, April 2. Amiel was now lodging in Passy, and was slated to command a privateer owned by a Dunkirk firm, Poreau, Mackenzie & Cie. On the 22nd a bond was made out in his and their names but was not signed; his commission was dated the same day, and on the 23rd he took the oath of allegiance: APS. The scheme, however, fell through: Taylor, Adams Papers, VI, 232–3.
3. In Adams’ hand.
4. JCC, IV, 253–4.