We are very sensible of the protection afforded to us, and to our commerce, since our residence in this kingdom, agreeable to the goodness of the king's gracious intentions, and to the law of nations; and it gives us real and great concern, when any vessels of war appertaining to America, either through ignorance or inattention, do any thing that may offend His Majesty, in the smallest degree. The Captains Wickes, Nicholson, and Johnson, have excused to us their returning to France, being chased into the channel, and close to your ports, by English men of war, of the truth of which we have no doubt, the Reprisal, particularly, having been obliged to throw her guns overboard, to facilitate her escape. We had, some days before we were honored by your Excellency's letter, despatched by an express the most positive orders to them, to depart directly to America, which they are accordingly preparing to do, as your Excellency will see by the letter enclosed, which we have just received by the return of that express. We shall communicate His Majesty's orders to our friends residing in your ports, and acquaint the Congress with the same, to the end, that our armed vessels may be warned of the consequence that must attend an infringement of them. We doubt not but they will be henceforth strictly attended to; and we are willing and ready to give any security your Excellency may judge sufficient and reasonable, that, after being fitted and provisioned for so long a voyage, these vessels shall proceed directly to America, without making any other cruise on the coasts of England. We are thankful for the repeated assurances of His Majesty's protection continued to us, and such of our nation as may reside in France, and for the facilities indulged to our commerce, at this critical conjuncture, which will always be remembered in our country, with gratitude and affection. We have the honor to be, &c. B. FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE. * * * * * FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS. Philadelphia, August 7th, 1777. Gentlemen, Enclosed are duplicates of commissions and instructions for William Lee and Ralph Izard, and triplicates of our former despatches. Since our last, of July 3d, various circumstances have happened in the military department, many of which are so intricate and unfinished, as not to enable us to draw any just conclusions from them.