(A Copy)

Sir I had the honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 22d January last (in answer to the one I wrote you the 15th of the same) and it gave me very great pleasure to perceive you disavowed giving any protection or Countenance to the Smuggling Traffick, which had for some time before been carried on between the French and English Islands.

I had also the honour of receiving another Letter from your Excellency dated the 11th October 1775, in which you assured me in the most positive terms that you had some time before "Strictly forbid all the People under your Government, on no Account whatever to Supply Gun-powder Arms, or other Warlike Stores to any of the Rebellious Subjects of His Britannic Majesty belonging to North America." I must therefore believe the particulars described in the inclosed Paper, has certainly been concealed from your Excellencys knowledge: for I cannot suppose a person of the Compte De Nosieres high Rank and Equitable way of thinking would act with Duplicity in a matter of such Consequence, between our respective Nations. ー As my Duty obliges me to transmit the Intelligence to the British Court, I have first ordered Captain Robert Keeler of His Britannic Majesty's Ship of War the Lynx to deliver you this notification, and flatter myself your Excellency will Command an immediate enquiry and Search to be made after the Persons, and on board the Vessel described, and thereby enable Captain Keeler on his arrival in England (where he goes Express on his return) to make such faithful representation of the upright Conduct of the Compte De Nosieres as may do him honour, and more strongly cement Friendship and Amity between the two Nations.

To obviate any difficulties that may be made by the Merchants of St Pierre who have engaged in this Traffick, to Ship Gun Powder &c onboard the aforesaid American Vessels in the way of general Trade, I am willing to purchase the same from them at the prices they were to receive from the Americans, and thereby prevent their suffering any loss by my requisition. I have the honour to be with great regard, Your Excellencys [&c.]