Note 36 — THE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS AT THE COURT OF FRANCE. (continued 2)

Cunningham was the commander of an American privateer, with which he went into Dunkirk. He there took his arms out of his ship, and said he should load it with merchandise for one of the ports in Norway. As this declaration was suspected, security was demanded. Two persons, Hodge & Allen, became responsible for him. Cunningham actually left the port of Dunkirk, without arms, but he caused sailors, cannon, and munitions, to be sent out to him in the night, while he was in the ship's road, off Dunkirk; and he shortly after took the English packet boat, Prince of Orange. As soon as this manœuvre of Cunningham's came to the knowledge of the French government, they caused Hodge, one of the securities, to be arrested and conducted to the Bastile. The packet boat was restored to the British government, without the form of a process. After six weeks' confinement, Hodge was released.