Sir,

According to the dispatch which your Excellency has just forwarded to me, the 4th of this month, I see that the account given you by Captain Chapman is not accurate.

The 27th of July last the Captain, being on land, noticed two leagues to the Windward, west of the Point, a ship which maneuvered, to come to anchor in the Roadstead of St. Pierre. He embarked forthwith, cut his cables, weighed anchor and overtook the ship toward 9 P.M. near Pointe du Prêcheur. The frigate, the Shark, fired first and after a Combat of almost 3 quarters of an hour she desisted from fighting and made for Pointe du Prêcheur, giving chase to a schooner up to the very ports of our cannon. Since it was not known that the vessel she was chasing was her dispatch boat, one of our batteries fired two rounds from the cannon, which forced her to stand out to sea again, Meanwhile the American sloop of war peaceably anchored in the roadstead at two o'clock in the morning.

These are the facts according to which you should judge if the details which were transmitted to you are indeed incomplete.

If your Excellency has made all efforts to maintain the amity and good faith which must prevail between us, I surely have not neglected my efforts to contribute to it. In this regard, I believe still that it was due to a misunderstanding that one of your frigates on the 3rd of this month fired two cannon shots into one of our Merchant ships flying its flag.

As for turning over to you the Bostonians frigate which has taken refuge under the flag of the King my Master, I would consider myself unworthy of His confidence if I acquiesced to such a request. Surely if your Excellency knew me better you would not have asked it. I will content myself with noting my surprise to you, age having taught me to speak calmly of things which I feel with passion.

Such is my resolution, which you have no doubt already anticipated. Moreover, I am going to send an account to my Master the King, sending him your request, his orders on the subject, in such case, form the basis for my conduct. I have the honor to be [&c.]

Endorsed Compte D'argout's Answer to Vice Admiral Young's Letter of the 4th August 1776