Folio 14: Commissaries to Bedford. They have met with Guillot and Van Deurse to discuss...

Folio 14: Commissaries to Bedford. They have met with Guillot and Van Deurse to discuss preliminaries and have agreed the time and date of the cessation of hostilities in the Channel and Northern seas and to Cape St. Vincent. France opposed the British contention of allowing a further six weeks to the Line, as in the Treaty for the suspension of arms of 1712. The British have protested that the French have already condemned prizes through their Courts, contrary to the declaration of July 8th [at Aix-la-Chapelle], and the French claim that the British Commission is limited to prizes taken between the Channel and Northern seas and the Line. Guillot had later agreed to treat in general in the Northern seas and Channel area and beyond the Line over prizes taken before and since the war; but only over prisoners taken "unduely". Nor could he sign any settlement unfavourable to France. Enclosed are a copy of Guillot's instructions and a list of British ships seized by the French. Difficulty of communication with Bedford is mentioned.

Date and place: 1749 Apr 1/12 St Malo.