Francis Aimar de Monteil, Knight of the Royal and Military order of St Louis, Brigadier in the Navy, First Captain in Command of the Ships of War Station'd at the French Islands has the Honor of claiming from His Excellency Admiral Gayton, the schooner Lady Caroline, taken three days ago at the entrance of St Nicholas Mole, as will appear in the annex'd declaration,² within a Mile of the Shore and in Sight of the Renommée which was then getting ready for Sea,

He hoist'd the French Colours several times and Slip'd his Cable useing, his best endeavours to get out of the Bay, in order to Demand the abovemention'd Schooner and Cargo

The Chevr de Monteil not being able to speak the English Frigate, she being a little afterwards at some distance from the Coast, judging that he had a right to claim a Capture made within Gun Shot at the Point under the Colours at the Mole has not lost a Moment, & the necessity of the case was such, that he would not dispatch to His Excellency the Officer of the Sloop of War who went out with him, but thought it most proper to execute such an important Commission himself.

He hath already set forth his motives in his Letter³ (which are found'd from the good understanding subsisting between the two Courts) that the Sloop that went before the Squirrel pass'd the bounds of the Treaty, and violat'd the Laws of Nations & ought to have relinquish'd his pursuit the People of the Schooner were so near the Shore, that they came with great ease to make Depositions of the Act, to a Town; where all British Subjects trade unmolest'd.

The Chevr de Monteil being persuaded that the Captain of the Squirrel, or the Admiral would deliver up said Schooner, has brought down some ー French Sailors, who were delivered to him at the Mole, to bring her back, and altho' he knew the little Vessel, with which he came in, he prefer'd to follow her at an easy Sail to ask the Restitution with that Defference which is due between the Officers of both Monarchs

Whether His Excellency Admiral Gayton immediately consents to this Restitution (provid'd that the Oaths of the People belonging to the Squirrel who have brought said Schooner down here, agree with the Tenor of the above) whether she is not sent back, but to the end of being Deposit'd in the care of Monsr L'Comte Dennery.

The Chevr de Monteil begs that Admiral Gayton replies in writeing to this Memorial as it is his indispensable Duty to send a Voucher to the Court of France, of his having done himself the Honor of addressing Admiral Gayton, and of sending him a Duplicate of the Declaration of the Master of said Schooner, and by his desire, and has set forth his reasons for having made the demand ー He must once more repeat the necessity of an answer (which he hopes to receive) to the end that if the affair is not determin'd here in its Origin, the French Ambassador at the Court of Great Britain; shall be able to treat upon the Subject there.

And it is in this expectation that the Chevr de Monteil was satisfied to do nothing else but to follow the Schooner here confiding in the mutual proceedings of his Excellency the Admiral Gayton

From onboard the Renommée, at Jamaica 17th September 1776.

P S In handing the above Memorial to Admiral Gayton, I beg that he will take Notice, that the word Protection, is only meant to imply Assylum, the Sense I use it.

I am Satisfied that his Excellency leave the matter in dispute concerning the said Schooner which I have claim'd in the name of Monsr L'Comte Dennery Commander in Chief of St Domingo, to be Decided by the two Courts, and to please to acquaint the same to the said Comte Dennery

(Sign'd) L'Chev^r de Monteil

[Endorsed] (A Copy)