I shall tell him to leave here, at once, and employ the lugger in coasting voyages; making Bordeaux his headquarters, and taking what freights he can get between that town and Rochelle, Brest, or other ports on this coast.

So long as he does not return here, he might even take wines across to England, or brandy from Charente.

He knows his business well and, as long as we are at peace with England, trade will still go on.
"The best thing would be for him to be at Bordeaux once every fortnight, or three weeks, so that we shall know where to find him.
I have a great friend at Bordeaux, and shall get him to have the lugger registered in his name, and give him a receipt for her purchase money; so that in case the people here learn that she is trading at Bordeaux, he will be able to prove that she is his own property.

Then, if the very worst should come, which I cannot bring myself to believe, there will be a means of escape for us all to England.
"She will be sailing there in two or three days.

I have fifty thousand francs lying in my father's hands.