To Benjamin Franklin from Landais, 1 May 1779
From Landais
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Nantes May 1st 1779
Please Your Excellency
I Received Your Favour of the 24 ult. and went directly down the River to the Ship to aquaint the Honnble John Adam with the order you geve me.4 The wind is So high that no loaded buts can go aboard, I’ll do my utmost to fullfil your order as Soon as possible— I have recruted already fourty three fore mast men among the american Prisonners besides the Captains that are willings to enter as volontiers. I which I Should find your futur orders at my arrival at Port L’Orient, and know wheither I am to have the Ship Careen or to go directly on a Cruse for to loose no time in putting them in execution.
I am with the Greateast Respect Your Excellency Most Obeidient Most humble Servant.
P. Landais
To his Excellency Bn Franklin Minister Plenipotentary of the united States of America
Addressed: To / His Excellency Bn Francklin / Minister Plenipotentary of the united States / Of America at Passy / Paris
Notation: P. Landais. May 1st 79.
4. JA must have told Landais he would accompany the Alliance to Lorient (where he would meet the French frigate that would take him to America); see JA’s letter of April 29. BF’s instructions to Landais had mentioned only that JA would not need passage to America on the Alliance.