On the second trip to America, Michel wrote letters and reports and not all of these have been retained. Having left Bern on 14 Feb 1703, he wrote from London to John Rudolph Ochs on 16 May 1703. At this time, William Penn was in England where he was defended himself against a series of charges, mostly false. Since the primary objective of Michel's second trip was to investigate Pennsylvania, it was important to see Penn. Therefore, Michel spent some time in London. In his own words:
"I ask that you will not take the delay of my letter ill of me. Already in Rotterdam I have had a package ready, in which was enclosed a thorough report, together with a map of Philadelphia, from which detailed information can be gathered, in short it is a complete guide for those wishing to travel there. Meanwhile, I secured two other printed reports, but, since the post in Holland would not accept this except at a very high rate, I found it advisable to retain it until I have received an oral report and confirmation from Mr. William Penn, and can send it together with a complete report through Mr. Gaudot."
"Thus far I have been unable to secure an audience with Penn, but I have been requested to appear tomorrow morning."
[According to Graffenreid in his memoirs, Penn appointed Michel Director General of all the mines in Pennsylvania. He also made a compact with the society which Michel represented; however, Graffenried was not present at these meetings.]
"I have made inquiries about that country to my satisfaction and have concluded to leave here with a Pennsylvania ship, which will sail in two months. I regretted that I had to see the fleet leave here for America, 12 days ago, and was not able to go along. I am very surprised by the [legal] proceedings against Penn. I have read tracts which attempt to expose him and his Quakers for their misdeeds."
"Two weeks ago I sent a letter to Mr. Gaudot but the mail boat was captured which was carrying it. I had a terrible trip from Holland to England. When we were ready and lying at anchor, a storm arose and many ships had to go back to Rotterdam because they were torn from their anchor. One such drifting ship ran against our ship and the rear (mizzen) mast was torn down. In the evening the English fleet of about 80 ships, laden with corn and cloth, was driven by the strong winds toward the Meuse River. Twenty-two ships could not make it to the river and struck the land and sandbars and were broken to pieces. Within a few hours, the river was full of corn and boxes of bread and parts of ships. Three days later, we had a good wind and we sailed with sixty merchantmen, two convoys, and a transport into the sea. Two days later, we met the fleet from London to Rotterdam, about 80 ships in number. In the afternoon, when we were 30 miles from land, seven ships came toward us under full sail. They were French which alarmed us greatly."
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.