* * *

THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO JOHN PAUL JONES.

The Hague, October 29th, 1779.

Sir,

I ought to advise you, that M. de Sartine has informed me, that he has
renounced the intentions that I had been charged to communicate to
you, and that you will find at Dunkirk orders for your final
destination. I learn with much pleasure, that the necessary repairs of
the ships, which you command, will be completed immediately, and that
you have received all the assistance you could, and ought to expect. I
desire very earnestly that success shall again reward your valor. No
person will be more rejoiced at it than myself. Believe me, with the
sincerest sentiments, &c. &c.

THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.

* * * * *

SIR JOSEPH YORKE TO THE STATES-GENERAL.

The Hague, October 29th, 1779.

High and Mighty Lords,

In thanking your High Mightinesses for the orders your humanity has
dictated in relation to the wounded, who were on board two vessels of
the King, the Serapis and Countess of Scarborough, I only discharge
the orders of his Majesty in renewing the most strong and urgent
demand for the seizure and restitution of said vessels, as well as for
the enlargement of their crews, who have been seized by the pirate
Paul Jones, a Scotchman, a rebellious subject and state criminal.

The sentiments of equity and justice of your High Mightinesses leave
no room to doubt, that in taking into a more mature deliberation all
the circumstances of this affair, you will recognize readily the
justice of a demand, founded as well on the most solemn treaties,
which have subsisted more than a century between the Crown of Great
Britain and the United Provinces, as on the principles of the law of
nations, and the custom of friendly and allied States.

The stipulations of the treaty of Breda, of the 31st of July, 1667,
confirmed and renewed expressly in that of 1716, and in all the
subsequent ones, are too clear and incontestible in this respect not
to be felt in all their force.

The King considered it derogatory to his dignity, as well as to that
of your High Mightinesses, to expose the particulars of a case so
notorious as that in question, or to cite to the ancient friends and
allies of his Crown analogous examples of other Princes and States.