ny opportunity of doing justice to these gentlemen, their
officers and seamen, whose conduct has been such as merits the
approbation of their countrymen, and has given reputation to our navy
in France. They will not be able to carry out any goods, though we had
purchased some with a design of sending by them, particularly a
quantity of saltpetre. This, with other articles to a considerable
amount, will be sent in the course of this and the next month. I have
received letters a few days since, advising that Captain Cunningham
was at Ferrol. I know not where he designs next, having nothing
directly from him.

S. D.

* * * * *

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Paris, 3d September, 1777.

Gentlemen,

Captain Landais is the bearer of this. He goes in the Heureuse, loaded
with stores for America. This cargo has, by a succession of obstacles
thrown in the way, been delayed from January last, to a most
prodigious cost and expense. I hope, however, that it may finally
arrive in season to be of essential service. Captain Landais, whom I
have mentioned in my former letters, will offer his service to the
United States. I must repeat here what I have written before, that I
find him to be a skilful seaman, of long experience in every part of
the world, of good judgment, and of the most unsuspicious honor and
probity; I can but consider him as a valuable acquisition to our navy.

My agreement with M. Monthieu, the owner of this ship, in case she
should not be sold in America, is that she be despatched with a cargo
of tobacco as soon as possible, if the article is to be had, if not,
with such articles as can be procured, as I have engaged for the
freight out and home, and you are sensible of the necessity of having
remittances by every opportunity. Whatever this ship may be loaded
with, I pray the cargo may come to Messrs Rodrique Hortalez & Co. as
they have advanced for the arms and other articles of this cargo, over
and above their other large advances. Tobacco is the best article at
present, in the ports of France, or indeed in any part of Europe, and
must continue so for a very considerable time yet to come, most
probably for twelve months. You will please to send me an account of
the cargo, whatever it may be, that you ship in this vessel, and
duplicates by othe