TO M. DE BEAUMARCHAIS.
Passy, September 10th, 1778.
Sir,
In a letter we have received from the Committee of Commerce of the 16th of May, we are informed, that they had ordered several vessels lately to South Carolina for rice, and directed the continental agents in that State to consign them to our address.
In the letter from Mr Livingston to us, dated Charleston South Carolina, 10th June, 1778, he has subjected the cargo of the Therese to our orders.
In your letter to us, dated Passy, 8th September, 1778, you demand, that the cargo received in your own vessel should be sold, and the money remitted to you in part for a discharge of what is due to you by the Congress.
We are at a loss to know how you claim the Therese as your proper vessel, because M. Monthieu claims her as his, produces a written contract for the hire of her, part of which we have paid, and, the remainder he now demands of us. However, Sir, we beg leave to state to you the powers and instructions we have received from Congress, and to request your attention to them as soon as possible, and to inform you, that we are ready to enter upon the discussion of these matters, at any time and place you please.
But until the accounts of the company of Roderique Hortalez & Co. are settled for what is passed, and the contracts proposed either ratified by you and us, or rejected by one party, we cannot think we should be justified in remitting you the proceeds of the cargo of the Therese.
We will, however, give orders to our agents for the sale of the cargo, and that the proceeds of the sale be reserved to be paid to the house of Roderique Hortalez & Co. or their representative, as soon as the accounts shall be settled, or the contract ratified. By a copy of a contract between a committee of Congress and M. Francy, dated the 16th of April last, we perceive that the 17th article, respecting the annual supply of 24,000,000 of livres, shall not be binding upon either of the parties, unless the same shall be ratified by Roderique Hortalez & Co. and the Commissioners of the United States at Paris.
We take this opportunity to inform you, Sir, that we are ready to confer with Roderique Hortalez & Co. or any person by them authorised for this purpose, at any time and place, that they or you shall appoint.
We have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servants,
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.