LETTER FROM CAPTAIN JONES. 3^5 
consequence of hearing reports respecting your 
conduct, I deemed it my duty to ascertain the 
nature of your situation, your business here, by 
what authority you acted, and how far these re¬ 
ports were correct, in order to give you every 
protection and assistance as a British subject. 
You having, however, declined in the first in¬ 
stance (deeming it unnecessary) to give me 
such information, and then sending me a state¬ 
ment of your conduct, which appeared to me in 
several respects not sanctioned by your having a 
letter of marque only, I acquaint you, not only 
that such a communication was a respect due; 
but that it is a duty incumbent on all British 
subjects to give every information, both relating to 
themselves and others, to the captains of any of 
his Majesty’s ships; and your being apprised by 
letters from the lords commissioners of the ad¬ 
miralty of my being sent here to protect your 
trade and that of this island, ought to have con¬ 
vinced you of its necessity. I therefore sent 
a message, appointing an hour for you to wait on 
me, in order to gain such information as would 
direct me how to act; or, if necessary, to reply in 
writing to your statement; which circumstances, 
together with your refusal to comply with my 
request and a copy of this my answer, I shall 
transmit by the first opportuniy to the right 
honorable the lords commissioners of the ad- 
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