General,

After reporting to you yesterday the arrival of the Captain of the English frigate, a vessel appeared west of the Pointes, about two leagues to leeward, and manoeuvered to come and drop anchor; the English Captain who was ashore saw the foreign ship, embarked immediately, slipped his cables and got under way to chase the other. Calm weather probably delayed his manoeuver: they rejoined about nine o'clock in the evening off the Pointe du Precheur and they began firing at each other. I was in the Government building when word reached me; I went out and saw the whole engagement which lasted until about half past ten. The gun and rifle fire came mostly from the King's frigate.

The other ship which happened to be a frigate from New England did not shoot much and was trying, I believe, to reach the anchorage of the road. They quit at about half past ten. The King's frigate made sail toward the Precheur and chased a schooner which sought the protection of the Ste. Marthe battery. The latter had to fire two shots at the frigate in order to force her to give up the schooner according to the report which I received this morning from the guardian of the battery.

The two frigates were completely separated by eleven o'clock. Nothing could be seen and all was quiet during the rest of the night. I had been told in the evening that the vessel which had appeared was that of M. Young which had left Fort Royal to come here and pick up a few packets. Several persons, however, told that she was a frigate from New England. In either case, I sent som:e people to the batteries in order to oppose the first one that would violate our roads, our ports or our forts.

During the night, the American frigate manoeuvered to reach the road and dropped anchor at about five o'clock this morning. Captain Lambert Wickes, commanding the corvette Reprisal, came to my home to inform me that he was sent by Congress to cruise in these seas, that he had seen the King of England's frigate in our road, but that nevertheless he had always manoeuvered in an attempt to come and drop anchor also. You will see, General, in his own statement what his actions were.

Now, General, the Captain of the King's frigate has just come to see me and gave me a request in the form of a complaint which I am sending you with the translation and an officer, M. Coquille, who will bring back your answer which this Captain seems to await impatiently but quietly in the Road since I gave orders to him as well as the American Captain, otherwise I would fire on them. I am &c.²