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June 1. 1778
I have the Pleasure of informing you that it is propos’d to give you the Command of the great Ship we have built at Amsterdam. By what you wrote to us formerly, I have ventur’d to say in your Behalf, that this Proposition would be agreable to you. You will immediately let me know your Resolution: which that you may be more clear in taking, I must inform you of some Circumstances. She is at present the Property of the King, but as there is no War yet declar’d, you will have the Commission and Flag of the States, and act under their Orders and Laws. The Prince de Nassau will make the cruize with you. She is to be brought here under Cover as a French Merchantman; to be equipp’d and mann’d in France. We hope to exchange your Prisoners for as many American Sailors: but if that fails, you have your present Crew, to be made up here with other Nations and French. The other Commissioners are not acquainted with this Proposition as yet, and you see by the Nature of it that it is necessary to be kept a Secret till we have got the Vessel here, for fear of Difficulties in Holland, and Interception
land une i is.
"Dear Sir. I have the pleasure of
informing you that it is proposed to
give you the command of the great
ship we have built at Amsterdam (a
neutral port). She is at present the
property of the King (of France); but
as there is yet no war declared, you
ped and manned in France. Th
er Commissioners are not aquainted
with this proposition as yet, and you
see by the nature of it that it is neces
sary to be kept a secret till we have
got the vessel here, for fear of difficul
ties in Holland and interruption
sioners, and again and again, in granting
aids, stipulated to him that Lee and Adams
should know nothing; and so Franklin
was forced repeatedly, in writing to Con-
gress, to tell them that “the other com-
missioners are not acquainted with this
proposition as yet .