Particular
No 17
My Lord

In Consequence of Applications made to me, by the Prnprietors of the two Vessels taken by the American Privateer, the Reprisal I spoke Yesterday to M de Vergennes, and not caring to give in a formal Memorial, I gave him extracts of the Letters I had received.

The Owners of the ship called the Vine State, that their Cargoe has in part been sold clandestinely, and part put on board the Reprisal, and that their Vessel is they hear in the River Vannes. Their Demand is, that this Court should give orders to stop the Reprisal, till the Value of their ship and Cargoe, should be repaid them. M de Vergennes said, that this was not a reasonable Claim. I observed to him that without entering into the general Question, an:d confining myself for the Moment, to the Conduct of the Captain of the Reprisal, it was clear that his proceeding was absolutely Piratical, and that it was therefore as much to the !nterest of France, as it could be ours, to treat him, as a Pirate. Without any direct answer to this, M de Vergennes took the Note to Shew it to M de Sartines. Upon my Return from Versailles I found a Letter from Nantes which informs me that the Reprisal is actually sailed.

The owners of the ship the George State, that their ship has as they hear, been sold to a Monsieur Le Port. M de Vergennes took particular Notice of this, and said of his own accord, that that was directly contrary to the Intentions of this Court, and that he knew, M de Sartines had sent the most positive orders, that no American Captor, Should be permitted to sell his Prize, or any part of the Cargoe.

I am with the greatest Truth and Respect My Lord [&c.]