Copy)
My Lord

I am to acquaint You that several Adventurers belonging to the Island of Antigua (encouraged thereto by an opinion they have obtained from the Attorney General and some other Law Gentlemen of this Island) have fitted out several Armed Vessels (Consisting of small Pilot Boats, Schooners and Sloops) and without Commission or any Lawful Authority from the Crown: have caused them to proceed to sea, there to Cruize and make Capture of any American Vessels they can meet with. They have already taken upon the High Seas several American Vessels and sent them into the Island of Antigua to be prosecuted in the Court of Vice Admiralty as Prize of War and it seems expect to be rewarded both by the Court of Admiralty and the King for making such Captures. I think it highly probable some of the Inhabitants within Your Lordships Government Stimulated thereto by what they may deem the success of the Antigua Adventurers may also determine (if not prevented) to act in the same manner.

In the course of my Service I never before heard of any Self appointed Cruizers, and am firmly of opinion the same is not only strictly illegal; but highly Derogatory to the King's Authority, and will also be attended with many dangerous and alarming Consequences to the Nation. I have already received a Complaint from the Governor General of Martinique &ca that an Armed Sloop belonging to Rosseau Dominica has hoarded and Examined several French Vessels and that he has ordered one of the French King's Frigates to take her as a Pirate must further add that I am certain Administration in England have possitively refused repeated applications made to them for Permission to Arm private Vessels to cruize and act offensively against the American Rebels: neither do I think the opinion of Lawyers a sufficient Sanction, to risk the Involving two Nations ,in a War: for the sake of Gratifying a few Individuals: I must therefore in treat you will be pleased to take such measures for preventing the aforegoing Mode of Arming Vessels to Cruize on the High Seas, from the Ports within Your Government as your Lordship may think proper and Effectual: I also beg to receive your answer to this Requisition as speedily as possible: as I think it my duty to transmit without Delay, a full and particular account of these Transactions to the Ministry, in Order to their laying the same before His Majesty I have the Honor to be my Lord&ca

To The Right Honble
Lord Macartney, Grenada
The Honble Edward Hay, Barbadoes
Governor Morris, St Vincents

[Endorsed] (No 7.) Copy of Letters from Vice Admiral Young to the under named Governors Govr Shirley: Dominica Lord Macartney, Grenada Hay — Barbados Morris — St Vincents.

[Second endorsement] In V. A. Young's Letter Dated 8th March 1777 —