Confirmed letters of
R E T O R T I O N

The Staten Generael of the United
Provinces, to all who may see
or hear it proclaimed, Salute. As
we have found, for some time now,
by the injustices and violent pro-
cedures of those who nowadays
constitute the current government
of England, not only have hindered
many and diverse of our residents
who are involved in Our Commerce at
Sea under numerous pretexts, but
also have interfered with, attacked,
and even sunk several Vessels and
Commodities, including several that
owned by this country, by men-of-war
of this Republic, some of which
vessels have been brought to English
harbours, where they have been sto-
len from their rightful owners, and
are thus unbarably damaged by this
State and her People.
   In this manner we are forced, by
                A 2             the