M. DE SARTINE TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Translation.
Marly, October 20th, 1778.
Gentlemen,
I have replied only to the first part of your letter of the 12th inst.; the second also contains important matter. It would, doubtless, be desirable to restore to their country the American seamen, who have been retained by the force of habit or by compulsion in the English service, and to gain the double advantage of increasing the strength of the Americans, while we destroy that of the enemy. But the means appear to me as difficult as to yourselves, and in the present state of things, we cannot flatter ourselves that we shall succeed in the attempt.
You request, at the least, that the citizens of the United States, taken since the commencement of hostilities in the English service, should be surrendered to you. This general demand requires a serious attention, and I shall lay it before his Majesty. With respect to the four prisoners, whose liberation you more particularly request, it is with great pleasure, that I transmit orders to Denant, to place them at your disposal.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DE SARTINE.