[Extract]
No 32 
M. le Mis de Noailles

I have received, Sir, the dispatch No 43 which you did me the honor to write to me on the 30th of last month.

The language used by Lord weymouth to you, Sir, on the subject of the vessel L'aimable Dorothee, did not astonish us in the least; we Know from constant experience that the English Ministry admits no other principles than those which the interest of the moment prescribes to it, and that it is needless to expect any Sort of reciprocity on its part for any delicate behaviour which may be observed towards the Court of London. But since it claims to establish a new jurisprudence relative to the search of neutral vessels, it will oblige the other powers to Follow its example, or take measures to prevent it being put into practice. This will be the course which England will force us to adopt in order to Shelter our navigation and commerce from the annoyances to which She claims to subject them. You may, Sir, make use of these reflections with the English Ministers; but you will only present them as coming from yourself, and as the effect of the desire which you have to aid in maintaining the good understanding which exists between the two nations. You may add that the new kind of search which the English Ministry claims to introduce must appear to You all the more peculiar that, when we made remonstrances on the Subject of the Bill concerning letters of marque, they assured you positively that this precaution would cause no damage to our commerce, and that it was only a matter of restraining that of the Americans. It is to be hoped that these observations, made opportunely, will produce some effect on the mind of Lord Weymouth, and that they may induce the British Ministry to modify the instructions which they give to their cruisers.

With regard to Captain Cunningham's fate, the account which I gave you in my preceding letter, will have enabled you to judge, Sir, the principles and motives which have directed our conduct on this occasion. We were well satisfied in advance that it would not prompt the English to gratitude; nor was it for love of them, but only to do homage to the principles of justice and equity which direct all his actions, that His Majesty acted with severity towards the privateer captain. Moreover, Sir, Lord Weymouth must know the Treaty of Utrecht imperfectly, if he confuses the case of Captain Cunningham with that of the frigate Reprisal. If that Minister will trouble himself to read this Treaty again, he will find there the two cases well distinguished, as you have pointed out. I abstain from speaking of the reproaches cast on us with regard to the Help which our commerce furnishes to the rebellious colonies, because there is nothing to add to the reflections which you have made on this Subject to Lord Weymouth. . . .