Office of Secretary of Congress, March 7th 1786
Sir
The enclosed Letter from M. de Marbois & M. Coustard with the papers accompanying it came to hand the latter end of last week under a cover directed to the President of Congress.1 But being found to relate only to the condemnation of the prize taken by Mr. Jones and other Americans, a subject about which you had written to him,2 I have it in charge to forward them on to you.
As it is possible the persons interested may chuse to prosecute their claim and apply to the Duke de Penthievre,3 to whose use the prize was condemned, and it may be of use to them to have an Exemplification of the Acts of Congress under which they claim a right to the prize, I have applied to Congress and with their leave send you the Exemplification which is herewith enclosed.4
With great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient & most hum servt.,
Cha Thomson
Receiver's copy, Henry A. Willard Autograph Collection, Library of Congress.
1 Not identified.
2 Not found.
3 That is, Louis-Jean-Marie de Bourbon, duc de Penthièvre, Grand Admiral of France.
4 Enclosures not found, but Thomson may have sent Lee copies of the prize ordinances of March 27 and December 4, 1781, and amendment of February 26, 1782. See JCC, 19:314 - 16, 21:1152 - 58, 22:99 - 100.