sposing of her and her cargo, which cannot be removed until your
Excellency's sentiments shall be known upon the matter.

We have the honor to recommend his case to your Excellency's
consideration, and to request that such relief may be afforded him, as
may consist with the laws of the State, and the treaties in force
between the two nations.

We have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.

* * * * *

TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Passy, September 10th, 1778.

Sir,

By some of the last ships from America, we received from Congress
certain powers and instructions, which we think it necessary to lay
before your Excellency, and which we have the honor to do in this
letter.

On the 13th of April last Congress resolved, "that the Commissioners
of the United States in France be authorised to determine and settle
with the house of Roderique Hortalez & Co. the compensation, if any,
which should be allowed them on all merchandise and warlike stores,
shipped by them for the use of the United States, previous to the 14th
day of April, 1778, over and above the commission allowed them, in the
6th article of the proposed contract between the Committee of Commerce
and John Baptiste Lazarus Theveneau de Francy."

In the letter of the Committee of Commerce to us, in which the
foregoing resolution was enclosed, the Committee express themselves
thus; "this will be accompanied by a contract entered into between
John Baptiste Lazarus de Theveneau de Francy, agent of Peter Augustine
Caron de Beaumarchais, representative of the house of Roderique
Hortalez & Co. and the Committee of Commerce. You will observe, that
their accounts are to be fairly settled, and what is justly due paid
for, as on the one hand, Congress would be unwilling to evidence a
disregard for, and contemptuous refusal of, the spontaneous friendship
of His Most Christian Majesty, so on the other, they are unwilling to
put into the private pockets of individuals, what was graciously
designed for the public benefit. You will be pleased to have their
accounts liquidated, and direct in the liquidation thereof, that
particular care be taken to distinguish the property of the crown of
F