COUNCIL
OF
WAR.
33
icy quinze navires de la Barbade, dont il y en a cinq de trente pieces de canon chacun, et deux de soixante, et huit navires marchands de vingt à trente pieces de canon, avec mil soldats du roy vestus de casaques rouges, avec quantité d'armes : vous presentant vous rendrez service. Nous demeurons, " Monsieur, vos asseurez amis et serviteurs, " BASTIEN BAIJER,
&c. &C.''*
Upon receiving these letters, M. de Clodore held a council with his officers, the results of which were as follow :— " As the enemy have made no answer to our summons, sent three days ago, to fulfil the conditions of the treaty made with them ; but, on the contrary, they have sent these letters this morning, in which, after having sought vain pretences of rupture, they declare they are not willing to fulfil it, and at the same time they have disposed guard-houses along the coast, and caused several armed persons to oppose our landing ; it has been found proper to accept the rupture they have made of the treaty, and after having fired a cannon-ball at them, to land, in order to make them return to their duty, without paying regard to the letters they have sent. Besides the absence of Monsieur de la Barre, and the * " Sir,—We have received your letter, to which we cannot at present give any other answer, but that it is not in our power to yietd to your summons, nor to agree to anything done before ; because, since your departure from here, Colonel Daniel Fitche is arrived, with commission from the lieutenant-general as governor, in obedience to an order from the king, which has been published. It is to the said governor that your summons and demands must be addressed, for he is the sole commander of the militia. We think that we have suffered great injury at the rupture of the articles concerning the Caribs, who attacked us twice in their wonted manner, which is cruel and barbarous. We would be glad to see you, if you wish, for we expect here, fifteen ships from Barbados, five of which are of fifteen guns each, and two of sixty ; and eight merchantmen, of twenty to thirty guns ; with a thousand of the king's soldiers, dressed in their red jackets, and a quantity of arms. By coming, you will render service. We remain, &c, " BASTIEN BAIJER, &C. &C."
c
3