Copy)
Sir

I had the Honour to receive Your Excellency's Letter of the 14th Current, which was delivered me By Monsieur Le Chevalier de la Beaume and I take leave to assure You, it gives me great Concern that any thing should happen to occasion the least difference in opinion between Your Excellency and myself.

In respect to the Brigantine La Felicite's, taken and brought in here by His Britannic Majesty's Ship Roebuck I am to acquaint Your Excellency that the Roebuck in her Passage from the River Delaware in America to this Island at no great distance from the Coast of America fell in with the aforesaid Brigantine La felicité then apparently Steering for the Place she had just before left; where several other French Vessels Laden with the like Commodities; and having Similar Papers and Clearances had very lately arrived: and there could be no manner of doubt but the La Felicite's Clearance for Miquelon was Collusive and intended to Cover an illicit Contraband Trade, well known to be openly carried on between the French West India Islands and His Britannic Majesty's Rebellious Subjects in America, nor was it possible for any Vessel to get to the Isle Miquelon at the time of Year she was taken; besides she was intirely out of the Route for that place; and her Cargo wholly composed of Goods Suited for the present most pressing wants of the North American Rebels amongst which are said to be a Quantity of Naval Stores (by all Nations deemed Contraband) and now so much wanted in America that without Speedy and great Supply's of them the Rebels in a Short time will be unable to Act in an Offensive manner at Seat against their Lawful Sovereign: these and many other Coroborating Circumstances must plainly point out that the Isle Miquelon was not the Port the La Felicité was bound to.

I therefore presume Your Excellency will agree with me in this point that Merchants who for the sake of great advantage will Venture on an unlawful and illicit Trade should certainly take the risque wholly on them selves; and ought not, when disappointed endeavour to involve the States to which they belong in disagreeable controversies

For these reasons I flatter myself Your Excellency will perceive the Impossibility of my giving back the Brigantine La Felicité and will not therefore construe my present Refusal as un unwillingness to comply with Your Requisition, but as a Matter totally out of my power to effect the Vessel was immediately on her arrival, Libelled in the Court of Vice Admiralty where the proceedings are carried on with the utmost Regularity and propriety: The Persons Claiming property therein will be admitted to plead and make such defence as they are able: and I do not apprehend Your Excellency can entertain a Doubt but Justice will be duly and impartially administered to the Parties Concerned. I have the Honour to be Sir [&c.]

His Excellency the Compte D'arbaud
Governor General &ca &ca &ca Guadaloupe

[Endorsed] No 4 20th Feby 1777. Copy of Letter in Answer to the Compte Darbauds Letter of Complaint relative the French Brigantine La Felicite.

[Admiralty endorsement] In V. A. Youngs Letter Dated 9 March 1777 —