To Benjamin Franklin from Gourlade and Moylan, 23 April 1779
From Gourlade and Moylan
ALS:1 American Philosophical Society
L’Orient 23 Avril 1779
Honord Sir
The Schooner Betsey Cap: Barrett arrived here yesterday from James River Virginia, after a passage of twenty six days. He brings no public papers, but says both Main Armys were, when he saild, in winter Quarters, and that the British one in Georgia had made no material progress in it’s advances in that province, that Generals Moutry & Lincoln2 were marching with a reinforcement for the southern Army, that wou’d be sufficient, at least to recover that province, likewise that the British Sloop of war Swift had got a shore on the Coast of Virginia in chasing the Rattle-snake, who shar’d the same fate, and that the formers Crew was prisoners in Philadelphia.3 We remain with due respect Hond. Sir Your most obt hle sts
Gourlade & Moylan
The Honble. B. Franklin Esqr.
Addressed: The Honorable / Benja: Franklin Esqr. / at / Passy
Notation: Gourlade et Moylan L’orient 23 avril 1779.
1. In Moylan’s hand.
2. Brig. Gen. William Moultrie and Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln. For Moultrie see the DAB and for Lincoln our annotation of Bondfield’s letter of March 6.
3. Captain Tathwell of the Swift set his vessel on fire before he and his ninety-one-man crew were captured. The Rattlesnake was also entirely destroyed in the fray. Pennsylvania Packet, Dec. 12, 1778.