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Sir I deferred answering your Excellencys letter expecting the return of the Argo Frigate, which I ordered the 7h Instant to carry a Letter from me to your Excellency at Guadaloupe, she is not yet returned back, but I hope you have got the Letter I sent by her; By which you will find; that I concur with you, in a desire of keeping up the Friendly correspondence that has hitherto subsisted between the Government of these Colonies; That I disapproved; of what Captain Gordon did; and thought he had been too precipitate which must be sufficient to inform you; it was not by any directions of mine he had acted.

By what your Excellency writes me; I perceive you have been greatly misinformed of the particulars of this affair; especially about Capt Gordons boarding several Vessels; and in particular one under French Colours which he had struck; and hoisted English in their stead. You will see by the Account in writing, which Captain Gordon delivered to me on his arrival here (a Copy of which I have now inclosed you) that he had only boarded one Vessel, that she was an American; and had all English Subjects on board her, and she had no French Colours, therefore of consequence he could not strike them. The behaviour of Monsieur Choiseul with the Message he sent off to Captain Gordon, I find has likewise been concealled from your Excellency.

Your Officer being desirous of returning immediately to Guadaloupe apprehending you might be gone from thence before his return occasions my answering your Letter before the Argo arrives; and to assure your Excellency nothing shall be wanting on my part; to keep up the so much desired Harmony between the two Nations. I have the honor to be &[c]