From Dr Franklin's letter, it appears that the whole of the prizes belonged to the captors; that the King offered to purchase the ships of war they had taken, according to an established rate; that the seamen objected to it, and chose they should be sold at vendue; that this occasioned a delay in the sale; that he does not know the amount of the value of the prizes, nor whether they were distributed, which he considers as a private transaction between the officers and crews of the ships and M. Chaumont.
From this state of facts, Congress will judge if anything more can be done relative to the claim of three of the petitioners to their share of the value of the prizes, (the fourth being out of the question) than to assist them in the mode of authenticating the evidence of their being entitled thereto, and to forward it with powers of attorney to the Consul of the United States in France. This I will readily do for them, and write to Mr Barclay on the subject, without any express direction from Congress, when the petitioners shall call at this office.
TO ROBERT SMITH, COMMERCIAL AGENT AT HAVANA.
Your letter to the Superintendent of Finance was received, and referred by Congress to this office, when upon mature deliberation it was determined for various political reasons, not to recommend the issuing of any commissions for letters of marque, or reprisals from any of the Spanish Islands. Congress having considered these reasons, came into this view, and passed the resolution, which I enclose in pursuance of their orders.
It is expected, that the several Consuls and agents of Congress, wherever settled, will keep up a regular and constant correspondence with me, in order that the United States, in Congress, may have the fullest information of every transaction in which they may be materially concerned. This task I dare say you will readily impose upon yourself, when you reflect on the advantages that may result from it. The points on which I shall chiefly trouble you for information, are the naval and military strength of the Island at the time you write, not merely as to the number of ships and men, but their actual state of preparation for defensive or offensive operations, their stations, their prospects and designs, as far as you can learn them. At your leisure, I wish to have an account of the population, militia, commerce, husbandry, and revenue of the Island, the sentiments of the people with respect to this war, and everything else you may deem curious or interesting.