1797 stampless letter Benjamin Peirce autographed letter signed written at L'Orient, France to William Vernon of Newport, RI by Benjamin Peirce - October 17th, 1797: Stampless letter has a fine red sl Salem postmark, and a manuscript sh14 rate

As a result of the XYZ affair, relations with France soured to a point where a Quasi war was declared between the US and France. This stampless letter was written by Benjamin Peirce in L'Orient, France to William Vernon, the famous merchant of Newport, Rhode Island. He writes to Vernon " I wrote you the 21st September advising you of the William & cargo at the commercial tribunal (commercial court) in France & of the appeal of the captors to the civil tribunal at Vannes, but have found means to keep it off, tho expensive, until the commissioners were received, which gives me some distant hope of an acquittal" He writes that he has enclosed a certificate of the landing of the cargo, which could not be done before. He also writes about the cargo loaded onto the William, including sugar. He writes about sending copies of the commercial tribunal to congress, and also to the Vice Consul for the French Republic. " I do not believe all ships under the American flag are American property" Excellent references to the ongoing problems regarding seizure of American ships, leading up to the War of 1812