Sir:

For a long time I have deplored the acts of violence committed against our commerce by British pirates or frigates in a manner contrary to the terms of treaties as well as to the respect due our ensign.

It is far from my thoughts that such acts committed against public faith may have the consent and approval of your Excellency and I am already persuaded that you will return to my complaint all the justice that it has the right to expect.

The French brig LeGuillaume sailing from and dispatched from Miquelon was stopped and led to La Dominiqua by the ship Abraham under the command of a Gilbert Grant who did not possess any British war commission.

Such duress was exercised against the ship Saint Guillaume, with David as the Captain, sailing from Santo Domingo for this island which carried only a few French passengers, and brought letters from the Governor of Santo Domingo; it was stopped, led to and detained in Santo Domingo. Armed men were placed on board, the search conducted revealed that it was only ballast, the trunks were examined, ~nd the letters taken away of which some were not returned.

To justify such a capture made in violation of rights of men the insidious means of corruption were used. The mercenary souls of the sailors were tempted with gold to testify that these ships were used to run errands for the Anglo-French in conflict with the British.

I do not know under what appelation you classify this kind of machination, our laws call it intimidation of witnesses and punish this crime with dishonor and sometimes death. Since the principles of honor are the same among all civilized nations, I am certain that your scruples will be offended upon reading these odious ways.

I had the honor of writing about this to his Excellency, Mr. Shirley, Governor of Santo Domingo, who replied that in what concerned the Navy you were the only one responsible, him also excluded.

Therefore, I have the honor of bringing to you my formal and official protest against these abuses which are hostile acts and upon which I cannot close my eyes. I beg of your Excellency to inform me clearly and positively of your definite action. Your reply will be a just satisfaction of my complaint, or a justified reason for the reprisals which I shall order.

Herein you will find a copy of the complaints addressed to me by Mr. de Luin and Mr. Lars Dorient, inhabitants of this colony. Sir, I have the honor to be, with the Greatest respect [&c.]

[Enclosure]

"Copy of the Declaration of Messrs de Luynes and Lars Dorien inhabitants of this island"

[Martinique]

We the undersigned declare that having been obliged to call at St. Eustatia on 17 January while coming from Santo Domingo we embarked there on the 19th with several other passengers in the ship Saint Guillaume under the command of Captain David and belonging to Mr. Adrien Sicard of Basse Terre, Guadeloupe, with Martinique for destination, that on the following 23d while passing off Dominica abreast the Roseau roads we were stopped by the long boat of the British frigate from which it departed when it was near us, that without any word, nor making any signal to bring us to, a musket shot was fired, the bullet of which struck the anchor cathead near which were standing two passengers who ran a great risk, that the ship was anchored near the frigate, although the papers were found in order and that the ship was o~ly in ballast, of which nine guns composed its artillery, two of which were on deck, that the Captain of this frigate came aboard of the said vessel bringing 20 armed with muskets, bayonets, swords and pistols, removed the crew composed of 8 men, four white Frenchmen and four negroes, also French, with the exception of a Corossolian, our servants consisting of three mulattos and two negroes, leaving only the captain, under mate and three passengers; that next we were confined to our room after the windows were locked and a watch posted and relieved every two hours; that as soon as the Captain had departed the 20 men seized a case of rum belonging to one of the passengers, became drunk, and that we spent a horrible night.

that the next day the Captain returned on board searched the vessel once more, and the trunks of the passengers taking all the letters which were entrusted to them. that Mr. de Luynes, one of the passengers having received the permission to go ashore with him had much difficulty in obtaining the release of the other passengers, their servants and their trunks; however their letters and those of other passengers were not returned; that all the servants were interrogated as to their destination which they were ignorant of, that several sailors having been taken ashore and having fled came to speak to us telling us they also were interrogated and that some were promised 25 moidores others thirty to make them confess that the ship came from New England and that it was going to be armed to -give chase to the British Royalists which they all declared themselves ignorant of with the exception of one who said that he was engaged for privateering in the mentioned vessel. It was on the testimony of this wretch, without any clear indication, that this vessel was stopped. We left Dominica the evening of the 25th reaching St. Pierre on the 26th

Signed Lars Darien and de Luynes

Copy
Dargout