(A Copy:)
Monsieur

J'ai L'Honneur d'ecrire à votre Excellence pour me plaindre d'une Frégate de sa Majesté Britanique, appellée le Seaford qui a insulté grievement le Pavillon du Roy et manqué au droit des Gends, en attaquant et en prenant sur les cotes de la Martinique un Batiment portant Pavillon blanc qui S'y étoit refugié, et qui S'y étoit meme Echoué. La Chaloupe de cette Frégate a fait feu sur un troupe de Soldats et D'Habitants sans armes, dont un des premiers a été blessé. Je lui demande la punition du Capitaine commandant cette Fregate, la restitution du Batiment; & si elle me refuse une reparation proportionée, je regarderai cet acte come un hostilité caracterisée et qu'elle a autorisé.

Je Porterai egalement plainte á votre Excellence contre differens corsaires de sa Nation qui foullent, insultent & arrétent nos caboteurs. si de pareilles Violences étoient repetées, Je la previens que Nos Frégates ne pourroient se dispenser de couler bas tous de ces Pirates q'elles rencontreroient.

J'ai L'honneur d'etre [&c.]

Le M^is: de Bouille

[Translation]
(A Copy:)
Sir

Martinique the 10th March 1778

I have the Honor of writing to your Excellency in order to protest against one of his Britannic Majesty's Frigates, named the Seaford, that seriously insulted the King's Flag and failed to observe the laws of Nations by attacking and seizing on the coast of Martinique, a Vessel flying a white flag which had taken refuge there, and which had even run aground.¹ The Long-boat from the Frigate opened fire on a troop of Soldiers and unarmed Inhabitants, of which one of the former was wounded. I request the punishment of the Captain commanding that Frigate,² the restitution of the Vessel; & if you refuse me a proportionate reparation, I shall consider this act as one of a marked hostility and one which you have authorized.

I shall also bring protest before your Excellency against different privateers of your Nation which oppress, insult, and stop our coasting vessels. if similar acts of Violence were to be repeated, I warn you that Our Frigates will not be able to excuse themselves from sinking all of those Pirates that they might encounter.

I have the honor to be [&c.]