LETTER from the Minister to MM. the Comte DE BLÉNAC and MITHON, concerning the Duties demanded of the Négriers

YOU have been informed of the complaints that the Merchants of the Kingdom have made for some time on the subject of the select nègres that the Gouverneurs-Généraux, the Intendants, Commissaire-Ordonnateurs and Gouverneurs Particuliers demanded from the négrier Ships, following the custom that had formerly been established by the Merchants themselves, but which later became very burdensome to them, because what had at first been only voluntary had become forced. These complaints having been newly repeated, and the King desiring to make them cease and to prevent the abuses committed on this occasion, His Majesty has taken the resolution to abolish this custom absolutely, and does not want you in future, under any pretext whatever, to take or let anyone take any select nègre. His Majesty permits you only, in case the Captains of the négrier vessels wish to make you some present, to receive them in the sole manner that will be explained to you below. He will regard all others as vexation and an infringement of what he has regulated.