***
‘Our final condition,’ Jason had said to Robespierre, ‘is that the French government must return all the French refugees removed from Montuga by Commander Du Pont to Montuga. Upon their safe return to Montuga harbour, and subject to the other conditions, we will release the French soldiers and sailors.’
‘If France were to agree to your last demand, Montuga would be in breach of the treaty since it would once again be harbouring enemies of France.’
‘You forget, Monsieur that Montuga will be reciprocating by its return of the French soldiers and sailors, all of whom are enemies of Montuga to France. If we can find it within our hearts to overlook France harbouring around nine hundred soldiers and four hundred and fifty sailors who constitute enemies of Montuga, I think it is only fair that France should likewise turn a blind eye to the thirty or so French nobles who are the alleged enemies of France as they make a new life for themselves in Montuga.’
‘They may not all be alive.’
‘We shall adjourn, for a few days so that you can come back to us with a list of those who are still alive. We shall then consider whether to persist with our offer or whether we should reduce the numbers of French prisoners whom we are willing to save from execution in Montuga.’