[Extract]
1st Letter

During my first 48 hour call at St. Pierre an English frigate of 16 nine pounders, called Pomona, arrived there. ² She was commanded by Mr. [William] Young, a very young captain, son of Admiral Young in command of the squadron stationed in these Isles who resides at Antigua. ³ This Captain told me that this squadron was composed of 5 warships; they have been there for six months and will stay three years according to the practice in the English navy. This frigate which had been cruising off the roadstead for two days and which I had observed chasing the ships sailing out of it, came and dropped anchor on the eve of my departure. The Captain told me that he would get under way the next day, as I would. I effectively set sail, but he remained. The purpose of his call was to find out if there were any vessels from New England for which they make a rigorous search in these seas, especially since they are suspected of coming to these colonies in order to buy arms and war ammunition. He might also have come here fat the illicit purpose of buying wine: we are accustomed here to see them engage in this business, and wherever I encountered warships of this nation I found that they were in the habit of drinking it.

During the 24 hours that we spent laying at anchor off the coast of Marie Galante, I had another chance to see an English frigate of 22 guns which passed within our range and which, after having recognized us, ran up her ensign, veered and sailed away. On my arrival at basseterre, I learned that on the same day another frigate of this nation had been sighted; she was suspected to mount 40 guns and had taken a vessel from new england. Yesterday, as we were on our way to bring M. le Cte. de Nozieres here, I sighted another frigate to leeward which was tacking to the North; I judged that she was the same one which had called at St. Pierre while I was there.

Second letter.

The English ships in this sea cruise against the vessels from new england with the utmost rigor and station their cruise opposite our roads. It seems to me that they conduct themselves with a kind of insolence that ought to be repressed. They come on our forts daily and jibe without even hoisting their colours in order to be recognised. They chase vessels almost under the muzzles of our guns and fire on our French ships in order to make them come aboard, which interrupts the cabotage. I have not yet been in a position to witness such indecent conduct towards the possession and vessels of His Majesty. I have even noticed that they immediately retire from the area where I arrive. M. de Nozieres whom I asked what I was to do in such circumstances refused to give me a positive answer. I believe however that it would be necessary that the Commandant of the King's Ships issue decisive instructions on this subject, especially because the circumstance of this civil war may last and the English may cruise a long time in this area against the new england trade which is as considerable as it is necessary and which cannot stop without inflicting great losses to our Colonies.