By James Young Esqr Vice Admiral of the Red &ca
Whereas, I have received a formal Complaint from His Excellency the Compte D'argout, His most Christian Majesty's Governor General &ca at Martinique; Setting forth that several Armed Vessels, belonging to the English Islands; without Commission, or any lawful Authority to Cruize and make Captures on the High Seas: have lately made it their Practice to Cruize about the French Islands, and thereby greatly annoyed the Lawful Trade of the same: by Firing at, Boarding, and otherwise Insulting the Trading Vessels belonging to His most Christian Majesty's Subjects: and that a French Brigantine called Le Guillaume, has been Piratically_Seized by one of the above Described Armed Vessels, and Carried into the Island of Dominica.
In order therefore to put an immediate Stop to such daring and unlawful practices, and prevent the Possibility of any farther Complaints similar to the aforegoing: I think it necessary To give this Public Notice, that I have ordered Captain Chapman of His Majesty's Sloop Shark to proceed immediately to St Johns Road, and there to lie a Guardship: and have directed him not to suffer any of the Armed Vessels called Privateers (intended to Cruise on the High Seas for the purpose of making Captures[)] to sail from St Johns Harbour; and that I shall also give Orders to the Kings Ships under my Command, to make Capture of all such Armed Vessels, having no Commission as they may find Cruizing on the High Seas for the purpose of making Capture of any Vessel whatever.
Dated at English Harbour Antigua 7th Feby 1777
