ment; but, in 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 reports were correct, i order to give you every protection and assistance as a British subject. You having, however, declined in the first instance (deeming it unnecessary) to give me such information, and then sending me a statement 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 admirality of my being sent here to protect your trade and that of this island, ought to have convinced 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 opportunity to the right honorable the lords commissioners of the admiralty. I also conceive it my duty to acquaint you, that from your not having any other authority, 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 licences 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 authority 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 mid

shipman 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 time in erecting a battery within musket shot, without my permission, and even without having consulted me on the subject; which is not only taking up arms against his own country (Denmark), but a disrespect to my pendant. I feel myself called upon, therefore, to notice his conduct, which no attachment or zeal that gentleman may have for Great Britain can countenance; neither would it, I am sure, meet the approbation of government. I now most carnestly recommend, either that you do not leave the whole power in the island in the hands of that gentleman alone, until his Majesty's pleasure is known (however qualified or respectable his character may

be), or, that you immediately restore the former mode of government, giving the supreme command to some of the most respectable of the inhabitants of the island. It was indispensably necessary, and was your duty, long since to have sent an account of your proceedings to government, which I now recommend you not to delay. I also recommend your destroying the battery now erecting, taking the guns off the island, and desisting from training the inhabitants to arms, which can only tend at present to their disadvantage, they being still the subjects of our enemies, therefore not liable to be attacked by those, and may hereafter enable them to turn against Great Britain. Nor can I conceive from the statement you have made of their attachment to you, that such measures are at all necessary, either for the safety of your person or property.—Having thus, according to my duty, acquainted you with my sentiments, and pointed out the line of conduct that I conceive you, as a British subject, ought to adopt, I shall not interfere farther than by requesting to be acquainted with your future intentions, for

the information of the right honorable the lords commissioners of the admiralty. You are wrong in supposing that I wish to cast any stain upon your character, either as an Englishman or a man of honor, nor can I believe you would intentionally commit an act which would reflect disgrace upon the British government. I am also far from doubting the word of Mr. Jorgensen, or from throwing any reflections either on his former situation, his character, or conduct; but his not possessing any written document to certify that he has permission from government to be on this island, and his having appeared in Havnfiord Bay, on board his Majesty's ship under my command, in the undress uniform of a post captain, oblige me to insist on his immediate return to Great Britain, unless you can satisfy me you have permission to bring him here.

I

am, SIR,

Your most obedient and humble Servant,

ALEXANDER JONES,

Captain of His Majesty's Sloop, Talbot.

To Samuel Phelps, Esq., English Merchant,

Reikevig, Iceland.