With regard to its destination, the undersigned had thought that he could flatter himself, that his character and conduct would prevent the doubts which a member of Congress has communicated in writing to the King's navy agent. Nevertheless, as so weighty a suspicion, declared in so serious a manner, and impeaching the probity and fidelity of the officers of the King, acting immediately under the direction of the said Minister, cannot have been suggested to Congress without important reasons, the undersigned entreats and requests them to be pleased to cause an account to be rendered of the reasons of his suspicions, and of the facts upon which they may have been grounded. The undersigned requests further, that the result of this verification may be communicated to him, in order that he may be in a situation to take the further part, that the dignity of the King, his respect for Congress, his regard for the public interest of America, and the delicacy which ought to characterise the conduct of every public man, may require. The undersigned makes the same request, and for the same reasons, with regard to the accusation made to Congress, that the vessels, which have been fitted out in the name of the King, have been loaded with quantities of flour on individual account. He declares that his first rule has always been to cause the whole of the vessels to be freighted on his Majesty's account; but if any frauds have been committed in this matter, it is of equal importance to the public good, and to the dignity of the King, that its authors should be known, in order to prevent further frauds. The delegates to Congress, by a verbal declaration made to the King's navy agent, have confined this imputation to one vessel alone, but it is not less important that the fact should be verified. Besides, although the Minister Plenipotentiary of France insists on this point, in order to make these odious imputations fall on those who may deserve them, he could have contented himself with declaring, that not having the right of police and inspection over the proprietors, owners, and Captains of the American vessels, which have been employed in these transportations, and who ought to be better acquainted than strangers with the laws of the country, it is only the officers of the State, appointed to receive the declarations of the ships which sail from the ports, who can, in examining the cargoes, determine the frauds which may have been committed; and that without directly and positively blaming the officers of the King, they cannot be made responsible for frauds, which it is not in their power to prevent. Very far from desiring any connivance on the part of the officers or of the governments of the different States of America, the undersigned earnestly desires, that they would be pleased to execute with vigor the powers which belong to them, and the laws which may have reference to these subjects.