vessel of Captain Cook should be treated with respect
at sea. He composed a memorial, in which he proved, that honour,
reason, and even interest, dictated this act of respect for humanity;
and it was in consequence of this memorial, the author of which was
unknown during his life, that an order was given not to treat as an
enemy, the common benefactor of every European nation.' Whilst great
praise is due to Monsieur Turgot, for having suggested the adoption of
a measure which hath contributed so much to the reputation of the
French government, it must not be forgotten, that the first thought of
such a plan of conduct was probably owing to Dr Benjamin Franklin.
Thus much, at least, is certain, that this eminent philosopher, when
Embassador at Paris from the United States of America, preceded the
court of France in issuing a similar requisition; a copy of which
cannot fail of being acceptable to the reader.

_'To all Captains and Commanders of Armed Ships, acting by Commission
from the Congress of the United States of America, now in war with
Great Britain_.

'Gentlemen,

'A ship having been fitted out from England before the commencement of
this war, to make discoveries of new countries in unknown seas, under
the conduct of that most celebrated Navigator and Discoverer, Captain
Cook; an undertaking truly laudable in itself, as the increase of
geographical knowledge facilitates the communication between distant
nations, in the exchange of useful products and manufactures, and the
extension of arts, whereby the common enjoyments of human life are
multiplied and augmented, and science of other kinds increased, to the
benefit of mankind in general.--This is therefore most earnestly to
recommend to every one of you, that in case the said ship, which is
now expected to be soon in the European seas on her return, should
happen to fall into your hands, you should not consider her as an
enemy, nor suffer any plunder to be made of the effects contained in
her, nor obstruct her immediate return to England, by detaining her,
or sending her into any other part of Europe, or to America; but that
you would treat the said Captain Cook and his people with all civility
and kindness, affording them, as common friends to mankind, all the
assistance in your power, which they may happen to stand in need