Monsieur le Cte Duchaffault, I am sending this Letter to you in order to inform you that my Intention is that you not Allow any Privateer from any nation whatsoever to establish, off the Coasts of my Kingdom and in proximity to my Ports, patrols which disturb the tranquility of the Commerce of my Subjects and stand in the way of the Safety of that which I allow to other Nations to carry on th'ere. You will consequently issue orders to the Captains of the Ships, which you will detach from my Squadron, that they will be very heedful to scatter all Privateers from the waters edging away from my Kingdom, and that they declare to those whom they might encounter, that they must cease to establish their Cruises there, unless they wish to expose themselves fo seizure, to be carried into and detained in my Ports. What you will order, in effect, are instructions the Captains of my Ships are to carry out, in the case that they encounter for a Second time, any Pnvateer established on a Cruise to whom they had Indicated my intentions on their first encounter.
The present being for no other purpose, I pray God, &c.
Written at Versailles this 22nd of February 1777.
Approved.
Authorized by the King's hand.
