Seaford St Eustatia Road Decr the 16th 1776.
(A Copy)
Sir I beg leave to acquaint your Excellency with the arrival of His Britannic Majesty's Ship the Seaford in the Road of Statia, being charged with some dispatches from Vice Admiral Young to your Excellency; I beg to know, when it will be most convenient for your Excellency, to let me have the Honor of waiting on you with them.
I beg leave to observe to your Excellency, that it has hitherto been my Custom, since I have had the Honor of Commanding one of His Majesty's Ships, on my Arrival, at any of the Ports, of the States of Holland (where they had a Fort) to Salute the Flag of their High Mightinesses, but at present I am sorry to be obliged ('till I have your Excellencys Answer) to swerve from a rule which I have always considered myself as bound to adhere to, as well from the nature of my Instructions as my own particular inclination, And why I am now prevented from doing what has hitherto been so much my wish (to pay every respect in my Power to their High Mightinesses Flag) is, that reports prevail of their High Mightinesses Fort, having received and returned Salutes, from the Vessels of the King my Masters, Rebellious Colonists; And Sailing under what they call Provincial Colours; Should such reports be well founded, I must consider it as an insult offered, to His Britannic Majesty, and of course must decline Saluting your Fort; I would willingly hope and believe, that the reports may be premature, and if your Excellency will assure me that no such insult has been offered to the King my Master, I shall immediately Salute your Fort with 11 Guns, on your Excellency's assuring me that a like number will be returned. I have the Honor to be &ca