Passy, Nov. 20. 1778
Instructions to W T. Franklin
You are to go by the shortest Road to Dieppe, and make all
the Dispatch possible.
At Dieppe enquire for Mr Baron, Merchant there, and take
his Advice whether to go off to the Ship, or to acquaint the
Captain with your Arrival send him the Letters you have for
him, and desire him to come & meet you on shore. The last is
safest for the Intelligence you may obtain, as well as for you,
if the Weather should be stormy.
You are to make all the Enquiries noted in the Paper annexed;
& put down the Answers in Writing; as well as other
Matters he may communicate to you:—in which be very exact
and clear.
You are to enquire if he wants Hands, & acquaint him that
there may probably be some to be had here at his Return from
his Cruise, if that should occasion a Diminution of his Numbers.—
You are to keep an exact Account of your Expences, & use
the utmost Frugality therein: By this, your Diligence & Expedition
in going and Returning, and your Exactness in executing
these Orders, you will recommend yourself to our Approbation.—
1. Force of his Vessel, Number of Men. &c
2. What time he left America, & from what Port.
3. What Instructions he had from Congress.
4. If he knows the Contents of his Dispatches.
5. Ask for News, & Newspapers
6. What Acct. there was of Differences between Count D’Estaign’s
People & those of Boston—
7. Whether he was well supply’d with Necessaries there &
Provisions.
8. Whether he was repair’d & sail’d; and where suppos’d to
be bound.—
9. What the present Situation of the Armies.
10. Whether Burgoyne’s Corps continu’d entire, or were much
diminish’d by Desertion &c. & where canton’d.—
11. Whether the great Ships are finish’d, that were building.
12. What the present State of Paper Money.
13. Whether Taxes are begun, to sink it.
14. If he is acquainted with any late Resolutions of Congress
material for us to know.—
15. What Persons of Note have of late taken the Oath of Allegiance
to the States.—
16. Where the Enemies Fleet were in America?
17. Whether any and what Vessells were bound to France from
any Port of America?
18. Whether the Providence Boston and Ranger had arrived
and with what Prizes?
19. Where the Warren Rawley Alliance and other Continental
Frigates?