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Sir, The inclosed Memorial ² having been presented to me by a Subject of His Brittannic Majesty, I think it my duty to send Captain [John] Colpoys of his Majesty's Ship the Seaford, to lay the same before your Excellency, in order that strict Enquiry may be made into the Circumstances related therein; and if foi.ind to be as represented, to Demand in the Name of the King of Great Britain that immediate reparation may be made to His injured Subject.

In addition to the aforegoing Complaint, I cannot avoid mentioning to your Excellency, that it is with equal Surprize, and astonishment, I daily hear it asserted in the most positive manner, that the Port of St Eustatia, has for some time past, been openly and avowedly declared, Protector of all Americans, and their Vessels; whether on private Trade, or Armed for Offensive War; and that even the Colours and Forts of their High Mightinesses have been so far debased, as to return the Salutes of these Pirates and Rebels; that the Subjects of the States not satisfied with giving all manner of Assistance to the American Rebels, of Arms, Ammunition, and whatever else may enable them to Annoy and disturb the Trade of His Brittannic Majesty's Loyal and Faithful Subjects, and that even the Government of St Eustatia, daily suffer Privateers to be Manned, Armed, and fitted in their port, and the Subjects of the States are said to be part Owners of such Privateers. The Piratical Vessel named in the indosed Memorial, was known to be fitted out at St Eustatia, and part owned by a Mr Vanbibber of that place.

I cannot suppose any Governor would take upon him to act in this manner merely of his own Authority; therefore must Conclude you have received Instructions from Europe, and are guided thereby; altho the whole proceedings appear to me Diametrically opposite to the late Declarations of their High-Mightinesses, to the Court of London.

As my Duty obliges me to transmit Informations of such Consequence to the British Court, I have first ordered Captain Colpoys to deliver you this Notification, and have directed him to make the strictest Enquiry into the Facts related; and receive your Excellencys Explanation of them. I must likewise desire you will give me a positive Answer, whether you mean to Suffer any of the American Rebels to bring into your Port of St Eustatia the Ships and Vessels they may take from his Brittannic Majesty's Subjects, and there dispose of them: Your general Answer hereto, must be the Guide of my future Conduct, and determine with me, whether You remain Allies to the Crown of Great Britain or have entered into new Engagements with the American Rebels, inimical to the King my Master. I have the honor to be Sir [&c.]

P.S. I would wish your Excellency to observe, I make great distinction between the Receiving into your Ports, the Trading Vessels belonging to the American Rebels, and their Vessels Armed for Offensive War.
His Excellency Johannes De Graaf,
Governor over the Islands St Eustatia, Saba & St Martin.
[Endorsed at the Admiralty] In V. A. Young's Letter Dated 31st Decr 1776