His men had quarreled with the Sclavonians in the service of the republic, some violence had been committed, and the vessel was under so severe an embargo that nobody except the master was suffered to go on board or leave it without permission.

He applied to the ambassador, who would hear nothing he had to say.

He afterwards went to the consul, who told him it was not an affair of commerce, and that he could not interfere in it.

Not knowing what further steps to take he applied to me.

I told M.de Montaigu he ought to permit me to lay before the senate a memoir on the subject.