The American Commissioners to the Delaps, 21 November 1777
The American Commissioners to the Delaps1
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society
Paris Novr 21. 1777.
Gentlemen
We are informed that the Ship Portsmouth, which left Bourdeaux a few days since, made Prize of a Vessel from Cork entering the River, with a Pilot onboard and after she had got into the Passage of Grave.2
This is the Captain’s Story, on which his complaint is founded. We ask you to enquire into the particulars of this Transaction and send us the Pilots Account of it Attested. Several American Vessels have been taken in the Course of the last Season by the English near the Coasts of France and one or more as we have been informed in near the same Circumstances; You will oblige us by enquiring how near the Land American Ships have been taken bound to your Port and sending us the Account. We are with much Esteem &c.
B.F.
S.D.3
The Pilots Name is Doussier of Royan a Copy of the Declaration made at the Admiralty is wanted if it can be obtained.
Messrs. Delaps
1. Samuel Delap had been dead for some time: above, XXIII, 340 n. His brother, unless he found a replacement in the family, must have retained the firm’s old name.
2. This information was in the report from Bordeaux that is cited in dating McCreery’s letter above, c. Nov. 14. The commissioners had a copy of the report: Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, I, 353.
3. The absence of Lee’s name is puzzling, because he said later that he himself had written the letter: ibid., pp. 356–7.