ese as your proper
vessel, because M. Monthieu claims her as his, produces a written
contract for the hire of her, part of which we have paid, and, the
remainder he now demands of us. However, Sir, we beg leave to state to
you the powers and instructions we have received from Congress, and to
request your attention to them as soon as possible, and to inform you,
that we are ready to enter upon the discussion of these matters, at
any time and place you please.

But until the accounts of the company of Roderique Hortalez & Co. are
settled for what is passed, and the contracts proposed either
ratified by you and us, or rejected by one party, we cannot think we
should be justified in remitting you the proceeds of the cargo of the
Therese.

We will, however, give orders to our agents for the sale of the cargo,
and that the proceeds of the sale be reserved to be paid to the house
of Roderique Hortalez & Co. or their representative, as soon as the
accounts shall be settled, or the contract ratified. By a copy of a
contract between a committee of Congress and M. Francy, dated the 16th
of April last, we perceive that the 17th article, respecting the
annual supply of 24,000,000 of livres, shall not be binding upon
either of the parties, unless the same shall be ratified by Roderique
Hortalez & Co. and the Commissioners of the United States at Paris.

We take this opportunity to inform you, Sir, that we are ready to
confer with Roderique Hortalez & Co. or any person by them authorised
for this purpose, at any time and place, that they or you shall
appoint.

We have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servants,

B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.

* * * * *

TO M. DE SARTINE.

Passy, 10th September, 1778.

Sir,

Captain Daniel M'Neil of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts Bay,
Commander of the American privateer, which has been so successful
against the common enemy in the North Seas and White Seas, had the
fortune to retake a French vessel from a Guernsey privateer, after she
had been in the enemy's possession three days, which prize he has
brought into Port Louis.

He represents to us, that he has met with some difficulties in
di