I had the honor to receive your letter, dear Baron, in which you reported the capture by an American Privateer under the Perle of a Parliamentary vessel with two merchants from Dominique on board. This is a most heinous action: any power should be safe under the protection of our flag and the least hostility is an insult to it. Therefore, you will please to command all the New Englanders who are either in the Road or in Saint Pierre that they be personally responsible for and repair the damage committed by this Privateer and to tell them most expressly on my behalf that if reparation is not made in a satisfactory manner I shall give new orders and punish them more severely.

My dear Baron, we do not know here any deputy from Congress; you understand me, and you will show them my letter; you will also assure the two merchants from Dominique on my behalf that I was most surprised 'by this action and acquaint them with the orders I gave in consequence thereof. I have the honor etc.