(A Copy)

Sir I have this moment had the honour of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 20th March past, by Monsieur De Marigny Commander of His Most Christian Majesty's Frigate the Cerein, notifying to me that His Most Christian Majesty had been pleased to appoint you to succeed the Count De Noziers (who returns to France) as Governor General of that Island and its Dependencies; I have great pleasure in receiving this notification and beg leave to Congratulate your Excellency on the high honour conferred on you by the King your Master. I am at the same time very happy to perceive your Excellency expressing such an earnest desire to maintain a friendly intercourse of mutual Good Offices among our respectives Colonies; and I entreat the favour of you to rest assured it is my full intention, at all times to exert my best endeavours to cultivate the same.

The Account your Excellency has inclosed me in Answer to the written Intelligence I did myself the honour to transmit the Compte de Noziers the 9th March last, concerning the Shipping Gunpowder Arms &c. to His Britannic Majesty's Rebellious Subjects in North America, shall be transmitted to the British Court by the first opportunity-for England, and I wish the . same may give a reasonable Satisfaction in that matter as I flatter myself

your Excellency will Rigourously exert your Authority to prevent for the future any Supplies of that kind being Shipped from any part of your Government to the North American Rebels.

I am also to apologize to your Excellency for a mistake which happened at Roseau, in the Island of Dominica, by the Second Officer on .board His Britannic Majesty's Frigate the Argo, firing some Shot at your Frigate the Cerein, when coming into that Bay, it happened it seems in the night and the Argo's Officers not perceiving any Colours mistook her for an American Vessel endeavouring to make her escape from them: this Captain [William] Garnier and his Lieutenant (who are now here) assure me was really the Case; and the Lieutenant says He had not the least Intention to Insult his Most Christian Majesty's Flag, and is exceeding Sorry for his mistake therein. I have the honour to be [&c.]

Jam^s Young His Excellency the Compte Dargout His Most Christian Majesty's Governor General of the Island Martinique &c.&c.&c.