[dateline] Nantes January the 28th. 1779
The Memorial of several of the American Gentlemen, Merchants, and Commanders of Vessels
at Nantes, whose names are underwritten—
Sheweth—
That, the Merchants of America, during the War, are at an inconceivable expence in
fitting out their Vessels—in navigating, and insuring them—and often the prospect
of repayment, and adequate profit, is destroyed by detention, through accident, or
misconduct:
In the Port of Nantes there are many American vessels, which probably will be prevented
sailing with the Convoy, by the unjust conduct
{ 385 } of the Seamen, and the want of a proper Officer to adjust the disputes between American
Captains, and their Sailors; At this time, Seamen, knowing there is
no power to oblige them to a conformity with their engagements, have abandoned the Vessels,
after receiving two months advance, to navigate them back to America—have entered
on board french Vessels—have insulted their Officers openly, and are forming combinations
to incite all their Brethren, to follow their own atrocious, and most dishonorable
behaviour.
Your Memorialists, desirous, if possible, to prevent unnecessary trouble to your Honours,
applied by deputation to the Commissary of Marine, of this Port, to grant them relief:
They are happy in paying a tribute to his Zeal to serve America but found he had no power to liquidate the Disputes alluded
to; and in consequence referred them to you.
That by the 29th. Article of the Treaty of Friendship, and Commerce, They observe
that Consuls, Vice Consuls, Agents, and Commissaries are to be appointed in the respective
Ports of each Dominion; and your Memorialists having understood that Mr. Schweighauser
was invested with the name of American Agent for Nantes, made application also to him, but were informed he
had no Authority to redress the grievances they complain of.
Your Memorialists, therefore convinced of the propriety of the said Article of the
Treaty, request your Honors that Consuls may be appointed, as soon as the exigency
of Public Affairs will admit of it—and in the meantime, that your Honors will nominate
some Officer, or Officers with competent powers to take cognizance of the present
differences, and for the prevention of future ones; for your Memorialists have apprehensions,
and they believe many instances may be adduced, of persons who find it their Interest
to foment Quarrels, in order to gain by the Parties, and that your Honors may be satisfyed
of the truth of these Complaints, They beg leave to refer you to the enclosed grievous
Case of Josiah Darrell Commander of the Brig Polly, belonging to the State of South
Carolina;
1 a Case by no means singular, because others of a similar nature, they could transmit
were it necessary.
Your Memorialists, sensible of the important Business which daily commands your attention,
have reluctantly addressed your Honors; but as a free Commerce, is one of the main objects, and pursuits of America, and as the removal of embarrassments
from it, is, They apprehend, worthy your consideration, and within your Controul,
They are induced to lay before you the preceding Representation of Impediments and
Grievances and to solicit your Redress.
{ 386 }
[signed] John Lloyd
[signed] Danl. Blake
[signed] William Blake
[signed] Phil Rd. Fendall
[signed] Jos Wharton
[signed] Jno. Ross
[signed] H Thompson
[signed] Jno: Gilbank
[signed] Cha: Ogilvie
[signed] Wm. Robison
[signed] Matthew Mease
[signed] F. Speak
[signed] Charles Jenkins
[signed] Josiah Darrell
[signed] John Joyner
[signed] Stephen Johnson
[signed] Robert Brooke