APPENDIX. B. 
376 
miralty. I also conceive it my duty to acquaint 
you, that from your not having any other autho¬ 
rity, that I am aware of, besides being owner of 
a letter of marque, you appear to me to have far 
exceeded that authority by taking on you the 
government of an island not actually considered 
hostile to Great Britain ; the wretched state of 
whose inhabitants his Majesty has been graciously 
pleased so far to relieve in winter, as to grant 
licenses to you and even to the enemies of Great 
Britain to support them ; and you have, in my 
opinion, not only transgressed the laws of Great 
Britain, but of all nations, by assuming an au¬ 
thority which no subject of any realm whatever 
can have a right to; namely, that of declaring 
the island free, neutral, independent, and at peace 
with all nations, and of appointing a governor, 
who is not a British subject, but a Dane; who 
has been an apprentice on board an English 
collier; served his time as a midshipman in his 
Majesty’s navy; afterwards fought against Great 
Britain; and was made a prisoner by an English 
ship of war. I understand he has issued, with 
your sanction, proclamations (declaring the island 
no longer under the government or control of 
Denmark) signed in a regal manner (We, Jorgen 
Jorgensen) ; besides which, he has, in sight of 
his Majesty’s ship under my command, hoisted a 
flag as yet unknown ; and is employed at this 
