(Copy)
Sir

The Letter of the 10^th. Instant, which your Excellency has honoured me with, only came to hand this day, complaining of His Britannic Majesty's, Frigate the Seaford, having insulted the Flag of his Most Christian Majesty, "by attacking and taking on the Coast of Martinico: a Vessel bearing a White Flag, that had taken refuge there, and had ran on shore;" I must beg leave to inform your Excellency, that whoever gave you that Account in the manner you mention, hath grossly deceived you in most part of it, for she was an American Privateer;¹ therefore could have no right to French Colours, which if she did shew I think the Insult you complain of, was from her, in degrading the Flag so much, as under it to claim protection, being a Pirate; for your Excellency must look on all Subjects in rebellion against their Lawful Sovereign in that light, and cannot countenance them; that she ran on shore is certain, as did the Seaford also, but they both got off again, when she took her, and as to there part of the representation of your Excellency, of the Frigates Boats firing on the People on shore, it is erroneus; for so far from it, she never fired to hinder, many from escaping which she could have done, and notwithstanding being often fired at from the shore, she never returned one Gun. Your Excellency requiring of me to punish the Captain of the Frigate and restore the Pirate, I flatter myself is only matter of form; for I don't doubt but from your own good sense and candour, with the knowledge you must have of Military Service; you would rather commend the behaviour and zeal of an Officer for the honour of his King, than punish him for exerting it; therefore not in the least doubting but your Excellencys Ideas on the Subject coincide with mine it is a very good reason for me to refuse your request in that particular, not that by doing so I would have your Excellency imagine I mean to protect those who shamelessly insult the Rights of other Nations.

All I can say of the bad behaviour of our Privateers in searching your Droguer is, that these sort of Gentry of all Nations are very apt to make bad use of the Priviledge granted them, there is however redress against them by attacking² the Securities, their Owners are obliged to find on having Commissions granted them; they are not under my direction in the Least, but are under the different Governours who give them their Commissions, and who alone have it in their Power to punish them, according to their deserts: I am with the greatest esteem and regard.—Your Excellencys [&c.]