Sir/

I send to your Excellency Monsr. Desfarge de la Voltiere my Second Lieutenant who will desire you to permit me to have the Honor of seeing you he will first tell you the urgent reason why I left the Mole St Nicholas in such a hurry where I was engag'd to repair my Ship.

Monsr. de la Voltierre with respect will tell you concerning the matter that happen'd on the 14th. His Britanick Majestys Ship the Squirrel with a Sloop Cruizing a head of her, chased a Schooner with great eagerness and by means of her Oars took her at a Miles distance from the Shore in my Sight, and in short so close that three Men belonging to the Schooner had scarce time to reach the Town with their Papers & other Effects.

In vain I endeavored to tow my Frigate [La Renomme'e] out but it being Calm in the Bay and then the Wind coming contrary prevented me from getting out before the Night had depriv'd me of the sight of His Britanick Majestys Ships, three different Schooners told me that they were gone for Jamaica.

I look'd for the Captain of the Squirrel to observe to him (on account of the good understanding subsisting between the two Courts) that an officer who commanded a Frigate in the Mole a Month before had given protection to a Vessel belonging to Jamaica and therefore I have more reason to complain of Captain [Stair] Douglas's Lieutenant for so gross a breach of the Treaties His going away appear'd to me a matter of so much consequence for the Honor of my King that I was determined to come myself to demand the Schooner, I flatter myself your Excellency will think that 'tis very natural for the Schooner to avail himself of the Protection afforded them by our Court, which would be equally the same to any of His Britanick Majestys Vessels that might require it, and more particularly in a case of this kind where our Colours were Hoist'd and under our Cannon where all your Vessels are receiv'd.

To conclude I have the Honor to remit to you the Memoir of my Demand of which I have transmitted an exact Copy to the Marine Minister.²

I will express in Person every thing else necessary to Justify the Demand that my Situation obliges me to make and I desire you that if the matter requires any delay to give an answer, at the receipt of this, to Justify my Conduct to my Master I would return immediately with the Confidence of your Justice in a matter which so essentially Interests both our Courts and without presuming you would be displeas'd at its being Communicat'd to our respective Ministers. I have the honor to be with every Sentiment of respect Your Excellencys [$&c.]

A COPY