Folios 165-176. Folios 165-166. Letter from John Robinson to [Sir Stanier Porten]...

Folios 165-176. Folios 165-166. Letter from John Robinson to [Sir Stanier Porten] regarding the seizure and plunder by a French privateer of 18 fishing vessels belonging to Harwich for which £2,560 guineas ransom was demanded and Edward Garner given as hostage. With the letter are enclosed papers, marked 1,2,3 and 4, brought by Garner who says that he was told in France the fishery was free, he was at liberty to return home and given some money to assist him in his return. Folios 167-168. Letter dated at Dunkirk from Pieter Gillodts, P Ryngaer and Q ?Lonbar to Elias Loveday merchant at Harwich expressing their displeasure at the seizure of the 'Owner's Content' John Petrie master by the privateer 'Therese' of Dunkirk commanded by Captain John Felix Housesoin. As soon as the privateer landed the hostage the letter writers went to the Lords of the Admiralty, represented the illegal action of the privateer's captain and demanded the release of the boy hostage to which the Admiralty Lords and the owner of the privateer have consented. The writers say that they have seized this opportunity to prove 'that our good government desire nothing better than the liberty of the fishery on both sides' and that all their privateers shall respect this. Folio 169. Monsieur Duval ship owner for all the fishermen and for the traveller for his journey to Dieppe' Verso 'No [number] 1 paper from France 20 November 1778 recd [received] from the boy belonging to the ship 'Owner's Content' Elias Loveday. In Mr Robinson's to SP'. Folio 170. Pass from Dunkirk for Edward Garner to return to Harwich. Marked Number 2. Folio 171. Pass from Calais for Edward Garner to return to England. With official seal. Marked Number 3. Folio 172. Copy of the forgoing pass. Marked Number 4. Folio 173. Letter dated at Harwich from Jno [John] Hines to John Robinson requesting that the enclosed letter came by last night's post 'to the owner of the fishing' be shown to Lord North, whose interest with Robinson's, the fishery owners request and also Robinson's advice as to what steps they had best take in the matter. Folios 174-175. Letter dated at Dunkirk from ?S Lhermite [?(No Suggestions)] and d' Michelon to Captain Elias Lavaday [sic] master of the ship the 'Owner's Content' or the owners of said ship at Harwich'. Folio 176. Letter from John Robinson to Sir Stanier Porten enclosing another letter [folios 174-175] just received from Harwich on the same subject.