Apparently from considerations before mentioned, this affair was dragging along to the exceeding great inconvenience of your High Mightinesses' subjects who, meanwhile, dare not approach his Majesty's harbors with their prizes; whereby many, either through stress of weather, have perished, or through inability to wait for a convoy, have fallen into the enemy's hands; as has happened, even within four days, to a certain privateer who had a good prize with him ; understanding, off Plymouth, that Captain le Clercq's ship lay there still seized, he dare not enter the harbor, and both ship and prize fell into the hands of 4 Dunkirkers. These Dunkirkers, it is reported, are expressly instructed to keep themselves west of the needle, in order that our ships, not daring to enter the harbors here, might fall into their mouths. It is to be remarked, that the trial of Captain le Clercq is of great consequence,

as 'twill be a beacon to all those who shall have made any prizes on the enemy, to determine whether or not they are to have the privilege of entering the harbors of this kingdom. We, therefore, requested your High Mightinesses heretofore, in our dispatches of the 25"" March and 17"" April last, to advise us how we should act in case judgment was rendered against the said Captain; requesting, also, most respectfully, that the aforesaid order might be sent over to us by the earliest opportunity. We apprehend another difficulty in this matter; namely, that the Captain's owners, weary of the long and useless proceeding, incline to settle with their adversaries; which, as regards your High Mightinesses, is almost as prejudicial as the loss of the suit; for your High Mightinesses' inhabitants understanding that, will not dare to