Benjamin FRANKLIN. October 3, 1779.

Honoured and Dear Sir: When I had the honour of writing to you on
the 11th of August, previous to my departure from the Road of
Groaix, I had before me the most flattering prospect of rendering
essential service to the common cause of France and America. I
had a full confidence in the voluntary inclination and ability of
every captain under my command to assist and support me in my
duty with cheerful emulation; and I was persuaded that every one
of them would pursue glory in preference to interest.

Whether I was or was not deceived will best appear by a relation
of circumstances.

The little squadron under my orders, consisting of the Bonhomme
Richard of 40 guns, the Alliance of 36 guns, the Pallas of 32
guns, the Cerf of 18 guns, and the Vengeance of 12 guns, joined
by two privateers, the Monsieur and the Granville, sailed from
the Road of Groaix at daybreak on the 14th of August; the same
day we spoke with a large convoy bound from the southward to
Brest.

On the 18th we retook a large ship belonging to Holland, laden
chiefly with brandy and wine that had been destined from
Barcelona for Dunkirk, and taken eight days before by an English
privateer. The captain of the Monsieur, however, took out of this
prize such articles as he pleased in the night, and the next day
being astern of the squadron and to windward, he actually wrote
orders _in his proper_ name, and sent away the prize under one of
his own officers. This, however, I superseded by sending her (p. 100)
for L'Orient under my orders in the character of
commander-in-chief. The evening of the day following the Monsieur
separated from the squadron.

On the 20th we saw and chased a large ship, but could not
overtake her, she being to windward.

On the 21st we saw and chased another ship that was also to
windward, and thereby eluded our pursuit. The same afternoon we
took a brigantine called the Mayflower, laden with butter and
salt provisions, bound from Limerick, in Ireland, for London;
this vessel I immediately expedited for L'Orient.

On the 23d we saw Cape Clear and S. W. part of Ireland. That
afternoon, it being calm, I sent some armed boats to take a
brigantine that appeared in the N. W. quarter. Soon after in