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A Note, Sir, delivered to M. le Comte de Vergennes by the English ambassador, declares that a Vessel, belonging to Mr. Prejent of Martinique and commanded by a man named Ord, the Only American who was on board, took on March 18th last the English Ship the Venus commanded by Captain Sharpe.² It is further discovered that on the 21st of the same month the Ship was carried into a Bay a League from St. Pierre. Since M. d'Argout has mentioned nothing about This to me, I have reason to think that the account is not at all accurate. You would be well advised to niake the most precise inquiries. If these facts are true, the King's Intention is that in the meantime you return the English Ship and Her Cargo, and that you give me an account of the Matter, so that I may learn His Majesty's further orders.

It is certain that French Vessels are fitted out at Martinique and are sent out with a commission from the Congress although there are only one or two Americans in their crews; that these Vessels take English Ships, and that when they encounter Warships of that Nation, they show French Clearance Papers to Labrya [La Brea, Trinidad] which they surrender. These Tactics are genuine Acts of Piracy which can not escape your watchfulness and which you must both forestall and check. I can not recommend to you too much to attend to it with the greatest of care and to observe scrupulously the neutrality which has been prescribed in your Instructions.

I have The honor to Be [&c.]