(Copy)
Sir/

In my Letter to your Excellency of Date the 27th April last, I desir'd the favour that you would give me your reasons for seizing the Vessels, belonging to the British Subjects, and putting the Masters with their Crews in confinement, to which have not received an Answer. My Duty as Commander of one of His Britannick Majesty's Ships of War, obliging me to take cognizance of such public Matters as affect the Commerce of His Subjects, I must address your Excellency on the late occasion of the Seizures made by your Orders.

On my arrival, I found that the British Vessels, navigating that part of the River Mississippi between its mouth and the Ibbervil had been seized upon by His Catholic Majestys Troops & conducted to the City of Orleans, where their Cargoes have been unloaded, the Masters and Crews confin'd and imprisoned.

As by the Treaty of Peace of the 10th day of Febry 1763 the Navigation of the River Mississippi in all its parts but particularly in those where [the] Seizures have been made, was guaranted to His Brittanie Majestys Subjects, and that in Terms the most ample and precise, their Vessels being exempt from all Visitation on whatever pret[ense] as also from every impediment; it was with astonishment I receiv'd information of a Proceeding so Contradictory to the terms of that Treaty, and at a time when a profound peace subsisted between the two Crowns.

I am not unacquainted with the reason that has been assigned for so unexamplary a proceeding, Accusations have been presented of [a] Trade with His Catholic Majs Subjects & proofs have been extorte_d from the accused themselves. Whether such accusations are or are not well founded, I shall not pretend to say, but certain [it] is that others are not even in that Predicament. I[n] either case I humbly conceive that their Privilege[s] as British Subjects have been equally violated; for, if Subject to Visitation in any Instance whatsoever the Suspicion Nay even the Proof of Contraband i[s] not sufficient to authorize even the entering of British Vessels, much less the extremities which have been adopted.

I shall not detain your Execllency with further Arguments in this matter but must beg leave to convey my own Idea in a few words, It is founded on the Articles of the Treaty of Peace, and I hope is consonant with the Spirit of it: that British Vessels navigating this River or made fast to either of its banks are clearly within British Jurisdiction, consequently not liable to Visitation, seizure [or] confiscation by any Foreign Power whatever, Subject to the Commercial regulations of Great Britain only.

Your Excellency will no doubt maturely consider these matters. before pronouncing a final Sentence. ー It is my Duty to demand and I hereby in the Name of my Sovereign do demand the immediate release of His Subjects, now confin'd in Prison and denied the Priviledge of being visited by their Friends. I demand also the Restoration of those British Vessels with their Cargoes, which in violation of the Treaty of Peace now subsisting, have been seized upon in this River, and I beg to be informed of your determination as soon as pos.sible. Your Execllency has been pleased to inform me that part of Vessels & Cargo seized are Americans the Prisoners from such Ships I do not demand.

I cannot conclude without Lamenting that this first difference which hath arisen between the Subjects of the Two Crowns, should have happen'd during your Excellency's Government, the period in which it was least expected; nor can I avoid hinting my doubt, that it has. in a great measure originated from misrepresentation. At the same time I regret the unhappy Event, permit me to communicate in the Names and at the Request of the British Merchants in this place, a due acknowledgement; of the many Instances of hospitality [&] politeness which your Excellency has at all times been pleas'd to show them. I am [&c.]

To His Excellency Don Bernard De Galvez
Colonel & Governor of New Orleans.