Sultan, as the French forces had chosen the moment to wage war against _one of his provinces_, when he was himself entangled with Russia.” His offers of mediation were finally accepted and a peace agreed to. The conditions obtained were not particularly favourable:—Corsica was to be treated as part of France; the coral fishery was to be resumed under certain conditions, but the Bey refused to allow the re-establishment of the warehouse at Cape Négre. Presents were to be sent by France to the Tunisian Government on the occasion of the peace. In 1775 the Maltese fleet burned two Tunisian corsairs off Goletta; and the French and English Consuls had a fierce dispute as to which of them was entitled to the place of honour when they both happened to be together in the Bey’s presence. This quarrel seems to have occupied for some months the attention of the Cabinets of London and Paris. Nothing of importance occurred during the following year, but in 1777 the French opened negotiations for the cession of Tabarca. The English Government became aware of these _pourparlers_, and Lord Weymouth wrote to Consul Traill on the subject. TO CONSUL TRAILL AT TUNIS. ST. JAMES 23rd _May_ 1777 SIR, I am to desire that you will give attention to what may pass with respect to the Negociation of the French with the Bey of Tunis for the island of Tabarca and inform me of anything that may be interesting on that subject. His majesty does not think proper to make any present to the Bey’s Son on his being invested with the Royal Robe, and His Majesty expects that you will find means to prevent an Ambassador from being sent from Tunis. Yet if contrary to his Majesty’s expectation and your earnest endeavours such a measure should be determined, then, and in that case only, you are permitted to promise that a Present shall be sent. You will in the meantime make him a proper Compliment as well as to his son. I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant WEYMOUTH. In spite of Mr. Traill’s effort, Ali Bey sent, two years later, an ambassador to England, and as we were at war with France he was very warmly received. The letters of George III. and Lord Hillsborough to their Tunisian ally were scarcely less cordial than those of William III. and Lord Shrewsbury to the pirate Dey Ali Raïs. KING GEORGE III TO ALI BEY.