Copy)
Sir

After sending away my Letter to you, of this days date; I was favoured with, your Letter of yesterdays date; and the Inclosures accompanying it, and am sorry to say, that I find not sufficient reason to alter my first Opinion, Vizt that no Vessel has power to act on the Offensive without being properly Authorised to do so; I also must presume to differ with you, where you say, You do not look upon the present War, on the footing of a Formal declaration of War, with other Nations; I really think that though no Formal declaration has appeared, Yet, every Act of Government since, plainly demonstrates it to be the same; besides had the present proceedings been Legal; sure such Opportunity's would not have slipt Adventurers in the late Wars, where there was great probability of their being Considerable gainers; which reason confirms me, what is now done is illegal. I wont take upon me to say that there are any Sinister Views in those Concerned; but I still repeat to you, what is in my former Letter, that the irregular proceedings of those Vessels, may probably involve the Nation in very disagreable disputes: therefore think it the Duty of every Man that Wishes well to his Country, to put a Stop to it; for my Own part I will assuredly do so: and mean to appeal against any Sentence of the Court of Admiralty, that may give any part of the Vessels and Cargos now brought in, unto the Owners, and Mariners of the Sloop Reprisal, 'till his Majesty's pleasure is fully known; as I shall Certainly transmit to the Ministry an account of all the proceedings in this Matter, and request their directions. I am Sir &ca

Thomas Warner Esqre Attorney General.

[Endorsed] (No 2:) Copy of Letters from Vice A. Young to the Kings Attorney General of the Leeward Charibbe Islands In V. A. Young's Letter Dated 8 March 1777 —