APPENDIX to the CHRONICLE. 



79 



fectly able to describe every thing 

 their lordships may be desirous of 

 knowing respecting Curacao. 



I have the honour to be, &c. 



Frederick Watkins. 



His Majesty's Ship, Nereide, 

 off Amsterdam, Island of 

 Curasao, ] 1 l]i September. 



My lord, 



I wish not to lose a moment in 

 sending a fast-sailingvessel to inform 

 your lordship, that the island of 

 Curarao has claimed the protection 

 of his Britannic majesty. I have in 

 consequence felt it my duty to take 

 possession of it in his name. 



I am now running for the har- 

 bour, as it is absolutely necessary to 

 lose no time to save the island from 

 the enemy, who threaten to storm 

 the principal fort to-night; but I 

 trust tlie Nereide's assistance will be 

 the means of frustrating the enemy's 

 views, and saving a most valuable 

 colony for his majesty. 



I compute the force of the French 

 to be about fifteen hundred now in 

 possession of the west part of tlie 

 island, but no strong post of any 

 consequence to prevent my holding 

 the forts commanding Amsterdam, 

 until I am honoured with an answer 

 from your lordship. 



There is great pi-operty afloat 

 belonging to the Spaniards. 



Lieutenant Paul will have tlie 

 honour of delivering this dispatch 

 to your lordsliip, of whose exertions 

 and zeal for tlie service I cannot 

 q)e&k in too strong terms.. 



I have the honour to be, &c. &c. 

 (Signed) V. Watkins. 

 The right hon. lord Hugh 



Seymour, &c. &c. &c. 



His Majesty's Ship Nereide, 

 off Amsterdam, September 

 14. 

 My lord. 

 Since sending my last dispatch of 

 the 11th instant, governor J ohan 

 Rudolph Lauffer has finally surren- 

 dered the island of Curacao and its 

 dependencies to his majesty's arms. 

 Enclosed I have the honour of 

 transmitting to your lordship a copy 

 of the terms of capitulation. 

 I have the honour to be, &c. 



F. Watkins. 

 The right hon. lord Hugh 

 Seymour, &c. &c. &c. 



Articles of Capifiilafion agreed 

 between Frederick Watkins, Esq. 

 Captain of his Britannic Majes- 

 ty's Ship Nereide, now lying off 

 the Harbour of Curasao and 

 Johan Rudolph Lauffer, Go- 

 vernor (interim) of the said 

 Island, and its Dependencies, and 

 Commander-in-chief of alt the 

 armed Force of the said Island; 

 namely, that the said Island of 

 Curacao and its Dependencies 

 shall surrender, andbe placedun- 

 der the immediate Protection of Ms 

 Britannic Majesty, in Confor- 

 mity to the following Articles, viz. 



Art. I. The island of Cura(;'ao and 

 its dependencies shall be placed 

 under the protection of his Britannic 

 majesty, and shall peaceably and 

 quietly submit to the government 

 of his said majesty. 



Answer. — Agreed to. 



Art. II. The inhabitants of this 

 island and its deiiendencies shall 

 enjoy perfect security in their per- 

 sons and properties, and the full 

 exercise of their religion, except 

 such as sliall appear to belong to the 

 subjects of the powers now actually 



