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-sels, which make the traffic dangerous, are not even privateers but simple pirates without any commission or letter of marquee but I have believed it to be in line with the principle established by Your Majesty not to engage, even against these, in any actual convoying, as it may most gracefully be gleaned from the order.
The schooner Macaria will, for the time being, be kept in ongoing cruising among the islands here. When crewed with 50 men, it is entirely competent to keep away the scum in small vessels making the passages here insecure. However, should the number of pirates here increase, I must crew the schooner St. Thomas by impressments of people from the commercial vessels and likewise put it into action, particularly since the difference in the expense will not be very considerable, as, indeed, when not activated, some crew members and its officers must remain onboard, and in all circumstances, every effort must be made to cleanse the waters immediately surrounding us. |