Having lately Arrived in a Very fast Sailing Vessell from the State of Virginia whose Owners not having it in their Power to arm her in that Country gave me full power So to do here (As well to take the Advantage of any thing that might Offer as to protect our Vessell and Cargo). I therfore take the Liberty of Requesting the favour of your granting me a Commission for that purpose, and least you might Suggest that I have lately Entered in to Arms, or that I might make a Bad Use of your Favours, I beg leave to Inform you that I have served the State of Virginia most part of the present Warr, In a small Trading Vessell nor did I quit her untill She was Condemned and broke up, the Vessell I now Command Is a Briggantine named the Dispatch mounting Eight four Pounders Navigated with twenty five Men, Saint George Tucker of Williamsburgh Owner. Mr. John Hanse: Delap to whom I am Addresed will be so Obligeing as to Stand Security for my Behaviour. I have now been here five or Six Weeks and Shoud have made this Application sooner (But that I Intended to have paid my Respects personally to you as well for this purpose as to have Inquired wether you had any Stores to Ship for the Continent haveing Room for Considerable freight in My Vessell) had it not been for the Very great Difficulty I find while present to keep an American Crew of Sailors in Order in this port. I shall be Ready to sail in 7 or 8 Days. But shall wait for your Answer.

Shoud you have any Dispatches for the Continent and think proper to send them by me You may Depend On My Care to Destroy them if taken or forwarding them Shoud I arrive safe. I shall Attempt the Capes of Virginia or Ocrecok as Winds weather and other Circumstances may Admitt. I Am Gentlemen Your Most Obedt: Humb servt

Versailles, 18 July 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography , 4:166–167 (JA's English translation). For the French text, see Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 94. Sartine recounted reports that he had received concerning problems with the French members of the Boston's crew. Their grievances did not seem to be directed against Samuel Tucker, but rather concerned their treatment by the first lieutenant and two other officers over pay, shares in prizes, and the term of enlistment. Sartine asked that Tucker be sent orders to alleviate the situation and noted that facilities had been offered for the recruitment of new volunteers.

In a postscript Sartine reported that, in response to a letter from J. D. Schweighauser, he had sent orders to the admiralty officers at Nantes that should remove any problems connected with the disposal of the Ranger's prizes.

In a second letter of the 18th (same, 4:167, JA's English translation; see Microfilms, Reel No. 94 for the French text) Sartine noted the presence in French ports of several American vessels that could be used in the Franco-American war effort, but which were idle. He asked that the Commissioners give orders to end their inactivity.

Passy, 20 July 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography , 4:168–170; also, with “The Function of Consuls” enclosed, in Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 2:650–653. The Commissioners reported that the Spy had arrived with ratified copies of the Franco-American treaties and that the exchange of ratifications had occurred on the 17th. In regard to the deletion of Articles 11 and 12 of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, the Commissioners stated that, despite receiving news of the action and assurances from the French government that it was agreeable to the change, they were still awaiting instructions and authorization. The Commissioners also commented on the outbreak of hostilities between Britain and France at sea; the prospect of Spain's joining France against England; their financial situation, requesting that the congress limit its drafts on them; and the services of C. W. F. Dumas, which they believed justified an annual payment of £200 sterling. Finally, the Commissioners noted that the resolution of the congress of 9 Feb. and a letter from the Committee of Commerce of the same date ( JCC , 10:139; letter not found) concerning the appointment of commercial agents had been superseded by the Treaty of Amity and 307Commerce, which permitted the appointment of consuls. They requested instructions on such appointments.