[Extract]

You will find enclosed herewith, Sir, the extract of a lett~r which was sent to M. de Sartine by Captain de Bausset 2 you will see that the English ships in that area do not merely cruise on the high seas against the New England vessels, but that they even establish their cruises at the entrance of our roads; that they come daily on our forts without hoisting their ensigns in order to be recognised; that they chase vessels almost under our batteries; that they fire on our own vessels in order to make them come alongside. It is the King's intention, Sir, that you denounce these facts to the British Ministry as contrary to the laws of the sea and the good intelligence which reigns between the two nations, and that you urge them to give specific orders to the ships employed in America so that they conduct themselves in the future with more circumspection towards us, and especially so tnat. they abstain from approaching our forts beyond the limits prescribed by usage as well as interrupting the sabotage of our vessels by forcing them against all rights to come alongside. The numerous marks of complaisance which the King has shown to the Court of London since the beginning of the disorders in Amero ica are the best guarantee of the consideration with which this Court will regard our representations, as well as the 1strictness of the orders it will send in consequence to all the English ships which are called to cruise in the waters of our Colonies. We pretend neither to keep England from intercepting the trade of the insurgents nor to favor the traffic of arms and ammunition in which these may wish to engagefo the islands ruled by the King; but, on the other hand, this power must abstain from turning her vigilance into a real inquisition as well as hampering the freedom of our trade and shipping. You will please, Sir, to use these reflections when you approach the British Ministry; I need not recommend that you use all the eloquence you will deem necessary to obtain results.