By James Young Esqr Vice Admiral of
the Red &ca &ca
Whereas I have received Complaint from Compte D'argout Governor General of Martinico setting forth that several Armed Vessels belonging to the English Islands without Commission, or any Lawful Authority to Cruize and make Captures on the High Seas, have lately made a Practice to Cruize about the French Islands and thereby greatly annoy'd the Lawful Trade of the same, by firing at, boarding and otherwise Insulting the Trading Vessels belonging to the French King's Subjects and that a French Brigantine called the Guillaume has been Piratically Seized by one of the above described Arm'd Vessels and carried into Dominica and as I think it absolutely necessary to put an immediate Stop to such daring and unlawful Practices.
You are hereby required and Directed to Seize all such Armed Vessels having no Commission, as you may find Cruizing on the High Seas for the purpose of making Capture of any Vessel whatever and are to take on board His Majesty's Ship under your Command all the Hands (except the Master and Mate) which you may find on board such Armed Vessel Cruizing as aforesaid, putting on board her from the Portland as many Men as are :sufficient to Navigate her to English Harbour where You are to send her, to be further proceeded against, for which this shall be Your Order
Given &ca at English Harbour the 8th
February 1777.
To The Respective Captains of His
Majesty's Ships Portland, Seaford, Hind,
Perseus, and Sloops Beaver, Hawke and Fly.
[Endorsed] No 6: Copy of Vice Adml Youngs Advertisement; and Orders given to the Kings Ships to Seize the private Cruizers acting without Commission
[Second endorsement] In V. A. Young's Letter Dated 8th. March 1777.
