9th Nivôse, 1798.

We have received your letter, gentlemen; it does not justify you. Courage and virtue preserves States; cowardice and vice ruin them. You have violated the rights of hospitality; such crimes occur only amongst the most barbarous hordes of the desert. Your fellow-citizens will always reproach you with it. The unfortunate whom you have given up die illustrious; but their blood shall cause woe to their persecutors, more than an army could effect.

The First Consul, (signed) BUONAPARTE.
By the First Consul.
The Secretary of State, (signed) H. B. MARET.