To Thomas Jefferson from Montmorim, 6 March 1788
From Montmorim
A Versailles le 6. Mars 1788.
J’ai communiqué, Monsieur, à M. le Comte de la Luzerne le mémoire que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’adresser en faveur du nommé Gross, américain, détenu comme otage à Dunkerque depuis 1782. Je joins ici une copie de la réponse que j’ai reçue de ce Secrétaire d’Etat, ainsi que de toutes les pièces dont elle est accompagnée. Je ne doute pas que vous n’adoptiez l’avis de M. de la Luzerne sur les raisons qui s’opposent à la liberté du nommé Gross.
J’ai l’honneur d’être très sincerement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur,
Le ct De Montmorin
RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Montmorin. FC (Arch. Aff. Etr., Paris, Corr. Pol., E.-U., vol. 33; Tr in DLC; the MSS from which the enclosures were made are in same). Enclosures (DLC): (1) Tr of La Luzerne to Montmorin, 24 Feb. 1788, stating that he had transmitted TJ’s memorandum concerning Gross (enclosed in TJ to Montmorin, 6 Dec. 1787, q.v.) to an officer of the admiralty at Dunkirk; that from the enclosed reply the memorandum is not accurate; and that, therefore, it will be impossible to set Gross free. (2) Copy of a letter enclosed in the foregoing from an officer of the admiralty at Dunkirk to La Luzerne, 11 Feb. 1788, stating that Gross has not been held at the expense of the king, but that the advances for his maintenance have been made by a certain Michelon, a merchant of Dunkirk, and enclosing (3) Michelon’s statement to the officer of admiralty, 6 Feb. 1788, to the effect that Gross is being retained on his behalf; that he has made all advances for his maintenance; that he has sent a bill of ransom to the British government to recover the money involved and expects a favorable reply thereto; and that, consequently, it would be unjust to liberate Gross at this time.