[Extract]
My Lord.

. . . I herewith transmit-to your Lordship the copy of my letter to the Marquis de Bouillie mentioned in my last, reclaiming his Majestys Provision Sloop of this Island, carried first into S^t. Lucia and then to Martinica; as also the Marquis answer,¹ and that of Mons^r Perrier the Commandant or Lieutenant Governor of S^t: Pierres, in Martinica. notwithstanding these plausible answers your Lordship will see by the Deposition of M^r. Carmody,² also enclosed, that the Sloop was at Martinica; could have been delivered up had the French Governor meant to act with Sincerity, &was actually secreted from him, doubtless by something more than connivance, since M^r. Binghams³ gave out that it would never be given up by the French Governor, on any reclamation, but might be bought and would then be delivered up.

if ready to be produced in the latter instance, the collusion between the Governor & Mr Bingham, will be obvious to your Lordship, and put this past all doubt, I shall tomorow send over again to Martinica a person privately, and not ostensibly, authorised [by] me to buy it: and by the next packet shall transmit to your Lordship a further account of what I shall be able to do therein.

I at same time released, paid their expences & caused to be brought over, thirteen stout, able, British seamen; whom bribes, nor yet menaces which were both plentifully made use of, could induce to enter on board American Privateers, to fight against their lawfull Sovereign.

I am sorry to say that much chicane was used to prevent their being brought off, but my requisition, and directions to the persons entrusted with the commission were so peremptory, and so full, that nothing short of open refusal, could keep these from me. yet many more were secreted purposely to prevent my getting them; these I shall again send after, when the person goes to buy the late provision Sloop. my conduct therein must I trust meet his Majestys approbation, as also my making a charge in the Contingent account with the Lords of the Treasury, for part of those considerable expences I have repeatedly mentioned in my former letters, myself unable from my private funds to incur; and which I am at, to preserve a regular, and secret correspondence in the different French Islands, where I must observe your Lordship may rely on it, every art is, and will be used, to detain & force into American service English Seamen, to give every possible encouragement to the Cruizers of the rebels, and by every art of evasion to elude every sort of restitution, or indemnification for such conduct, claimed in any other manner than by his Majesty's Admiral, accompanied by a proper compliment of Men of War sufficient to inspire due respect.

Whenever this may be adviseable to be done, I will be ready to furnish his Majestys Admiral's with information of Captures, detention of Seamen, and other similar facts on the part of the French Governors, militating against the faith of all treaty. the French even accompanying convoying as it were the Americans; one or two of their Frigates having several times proceeded to Sea to certain latitudes, with sundry American vessells bound to America.

I have the honor further to inform your Lordship, that nine thousand more Troops are expected at Martinica, from France; that they fully expect a war with Great Britain, and they work double days, and days and a half on the Fortifications, particularly at Fort royal which they will not permit an Englishman to go near but I am happy in further informing your Lordship, that the present number at Martinica, even at present, is bringing on great scarcity of provisions.

With concern I inform your Lordships that this Government arm'd Sloop called the General Morris, is this moment cdme into harbor, much shattered in her masts, yards, and rigging, in an engagement with a brig of superior force, and a Sloop of eaqual force with her, as will make her require very considerable repair before she can again be at sea: one of my former letters mentioned its having brought in two small Prizes, the amount of which when sold will be carried to account. . . .

I have the honor to be, with respect and esteem My Lord [&c.]