`I Am sent by Commadore _Vernon_, Commander in Chief of all his Majesty's Ships in the _West-Indies_ to demand in the King our Master's Name, all the Vessels, with theirs Effects, _&c._ and also the Negroes taken from _Jamaica_ since the Cessation of Arms; likewise all _Englishmen_ now detained, or otherwise remaining in your Port of _Trinidado_, particularly _Nicholas Brown_ and _Christopher Winter_, both of them being Traytors, Pyrates and common Enemies to all Nations: And the said Commadore hath ordered me to acquaint you, that he is surprized that the Subjects of a Prince in Amity and Friendship with another, should give Countenance to such notorious Villains. In Expectation of your immediate Compliance, I am, Gentlemen, Off the River _Trinidado_, _Feb._ 8. 1720. Your humble Servant, _Joseph Laws_. _The Answer of the Alcaldes of _Trinidado_, to Mr. _Laws_'s Letter._ Capt. Laws, `IN Answer to yours, this serves to acquaint you, that neither in this City, nor Port, are there any Negroes or Vessels which have been taken at your Island of _Jamaica_, nor on that Coast, since the Cessation of Arms; and what Vessels have been taken since that Time, have been for trading in an unlawful Commerce on this Coast; and as for those English Fugitives you mention, they are here as other Subjects of our Lord the King, being brought voluntarily to our holy Catholick Faith, and have received the Water of Baptism; but if they should prove Rogues, and should not comply with their Duty, in which they are bound at present, then they shall be chastized according to the Ordinances of our King, whom God preserve. And we beg you will weigh Anchor as soon as possible, and leave this Port and its Coasts, because upon no Account you shall be suffered to trade, or any Thing else; for we are resolved not to admit thereof. God preserve you. We kiss your Hand. _Trinidado_, _Feb._ 8, 1722. Signed, _Hieronimo de Fuentes, Benette Alfonso del Manzano_. _Mr. _Laws_'s Reply to the Alcaldes Letter._ Gentlemen, `YOUR refusing to deliver up the Subjects of the King my Master, is somewhat surprizing, it being in a Time of Peace, and the detaining them consequently against the Law of Nations. Notwithstanding your trifling Pretence (for which you have no Foundation but to forge an Excuse) to prevent my making any Enquiry into the Truth of the Facts I have alledged in my former, I must tell you my Resolutions are, to stay on the Coast till I have made Reprizals; and should I meet any Vessels belonging to your Port, I shall not treat them as the Subjects of the Crown of Spain, but as Pyrates, finding it a Part of your Religion in this Place to protect such Villains. Off the River _Trinidado_, _Feb._ 8. 1720. Your humble Servant, _Joseph Laws_. _The Answer of one of the Alcaldes to Mr. _Laws_'s Reply_.