Letters to Benjamin Franklin 393 



From The Captains of American Merchant Vessels at Nantes and 



Neighboring Ports to The Ministers Plenipotentiary of 



the United States at the Court of France. 



1778. April 9. Nantes. 



Requesting them to apply to the French Court for a convoy ofE the 

 coast sufficient to protect the American vessels. L. S. 2 p. LXI, 12. 



From The Navy Board of the Eastern Department to The American 

 Commissioners. 1778. April 9. Boston. 



Encloses gazettes to date. Cannot risk other packages. L. in 3d P. 

 I p. LIII, 37. 



From W[illiam] Lee. 1778. April 9. Frankfort-sur-le-Maine. 



The presence of any one on their part at Berlin will not be of any 

 use. The Vienna scheme vi^ill be prosecuted; England will not declare 

 war until Burgoyne and his troops are got safe, lest they should be 

 intercepted. Proposes a plan to send La Motte Picquet with certain 

 ships to be joined at Boston by others, the whole to proceed immediately 

 to Halifax which must fall into their hands with all the naval stores. 

 A. L. S. 2 p. IX, 26. 



From Abbe Le Clere de St. Etvain. 1778. April 10. Paris. 



Asking for the letters of recommendation he promised to M. Mereau 

 de Mannevan, who has left for Amsterdam. A. L. S. i p. (In 

 French.) IX, 27. 



From Elaud Guillaud. 1778. April 10. Cadiz. 



England has altered her Mediterranean passports, so that the ones 

 they had before the war are rendered useless. Plan of a certain mer- 

 chant to enter into peace negotiations with the Emperor of Morocco; 

 he has written Franklin more particularly on this subject; it will all 

 tend to the prosperity and happiness of America. Captain Cunning- 

 ham still at Cadiz. A. L. S. 4 p. (In French.) IX, 28. 



From Vicomte de Toustain. 1778. April 10. Josselin. 



Concerning his paper, " A Challenge to Lord Suffolk," and other 

 similar reflections and explanations ; his desire to enter the American 

 service under certain conditions. A. L, S. 8 p. (In French.) 



IX, 29. 



