[Extract]

I have, My lord, fully carried out your orders by observing to Myd Rochford that, as the British Government had deemed necessary to restrict the trade of New England, we do not doubt that His British Majesty gave His sea officers the strictest and most precise orders not to interfere with the trade of our Colonies and not to come near our possessions under any circumstances to visit those of our ships loaded with all that is necessary for the consumption and defense of our Colonies. Myd Rochford assured me that their naval officers had been advised to behave towards us with more caution and more reserve than ever. This minister added I was to believe that they had the greatest desire to live with us on the best terms and in perfect friendship and should some accident occur, they would be far more annoyed about it than we. . . .

This meeting took place on the 12th of this month. Some time later, I met Myd Sandwich himself and I told him of my conversation with Myd Rochford, deeming this precaution all the more important because by giving credit to Myd Rochford for his good intentions, we have more than once experienced that it is advisable to look out for his assurances and that he displays a tendency to make light his promises. Myd Sandwich did not tell me that they will place more care and caution than ever in the orders given to the sea officers. He simply assured me that should some accident occur that would rouse our complaints, they would do us justice promptly and punish the persons responsible. I answered that he knew how much easier it is to prevent than to cure and that we relied on all his care in this respect. He repeated to me the same friendly assurances that I had already received from the Secretary of State in this matter, adding that their officers would receive orders only to prevent contraband with the English Colonies, whereupon I deemed necessary to observe that these most legitimate orders would not come against any obstacle on our part but that they were to be carried on their waters and not on ours.