Antelope Port Royal Harbor Jama
26th Sepr 1777.
Sir,
I have the honor of your Excellencys Letter of the 3d Sepr by Messrs Pascaud & Dubuisson, wherein You request I will grant them Pass-Ports for Two Vessels named the Chance [sic Hazard] & Prudent, to go to Halifax and Quebec to load with Lumber for Building; the Inhabitants of St Nichola Mole being in a most distressed situation for want thereof, owing to a late fire which has destroyed most of the Buildings.2 In answer thereto I beg leave to acquaint You I have granted two Pass Ports to the above Vessels, agreeable to your request to proceed to Halifax and Quebec in order to take in their Lading.
I further beg leave to acquaint your Excellency that I designed to have sent one of my armed Vessels, with a complaint exhibited against one Hague a Subject of His Most Christian Majesty, who behaved as You will observe by the affidavit inclosed for your information; I look upon it as an act of Piracy as he seized this property & Negroes out of one of His Most Christian Majesty's Vessels which was hired at Hispaniola to convey the passengers down to Jamaica after coming from So Carolina in a Rebel Vessel.3
I make not the least doubt but your Excellency will administer Justice to His Britannick Majesty's Subjects in consideration of the great Harmony which subsists between our two Crowns & cause enquiry to be made for the said property and Negroes which were piratically seized & have them secured untill I can send an armed Vessel to your Excellency to bring them down, Your Excellency's compliance to this request will confer a lasting obligation on him who subscribes himself. with all respect [&c.]