N. B. 26th:

It has been intimated to me to d⟨ay⟩ that the Courier which arrived here th⟨ree⟩ days since from Paris brings the answe⟨r⟩ to the representation this Court made ⟨re⟩lative to the shutting the ports of this Kingdom against British manufactures and that the French Government stil⟨l⟩ insists on a compliance with its orig⟨i⟩nal demand & declares that in case ⟨it⟩ is not complied with an army shall be sent here to enforce it, but if the prohibition is made the Country wi⟨ll⟩ not be invaded. General Junot ar⟨ri⟩ved at Bayonne the 11th. Instant & 45.0⟨00⟩ Men were then collected there. The defeat of the English at Buenos Ayre⟨s⟩ & the engagement to evacuate Mon⟨te⟩Video & the whole Country in two M⟨onths⟩ will unquestionably weigh much with this Court in its final decisi⟨on⟩ as that event will make it feel more secure as to the safety of ⟨the⟩ Brazils. The want of success too ⟨of⟩ the British expedition to Copenh⟨agen⟩ probably will not be without i⟨ts⟩ influence. Mr Gambier the Briti⟨sh⟩ Consul General arrived the day before yesterday with dispatches from England. I understand that the British Govmt. have declared to this that if it shuts the ports of this Kingdom against British Commerce, it will blockade the whole Country; but if, as I am led to beleive, the French Govmt. have absolutely insisted on it, this threat will not prevent it. Lord Strangford went to Massa yesterday & left orders for the packet (which was to have gone out this morning at 9) not to Sail untill his return. An hour since, 7 pm, she was still waiting. The Spanish Ambassador & French Charge went to Massa the day before Lord Strangford. A Council of State was to be held to day, in which probably the important question will finally be decided. I have no idea that the Royal family will embark. Respectfully

By the quarantine regulations which came out three days since Vessels from the United States, only perform three days quarantine, but the discharge by bica of grain loaded vessels is not explicitly mentioned. I shall therefore, in a few days, try to get it done away altogether. The embargo on all Portugueze vessels in France is continued & lately enforced with considerable severity such as making those which lay toward the mouths of Rivers mo⟨ve⟩ higher up, & sending persons on board to take charge of them About a week since clearances were refused to all Portgueze vessels bound to France.

I understand that the two Portgueze frigates & a Sloop of War sail for Gibraltar to-morr⟨ow.⟩ I am this moment told by a Gentlema⟨n⟩ that can be confided in, that the Fren⟨ch⟩ Legation are preparing to depart & will certainly leave here in the course ⟨of⟩ the next week, unless the demand of the French Govmt. is complied with, w⟨hich⟩ has hitherto been refused. I understand t⟨oo⟩ that the last Council of State decided ag⟨ainst⟩ it, & that it is the determination of th⟨is⟩ Government, if a French Army sets foot ⟨on⟩ Portugueze ground, that moment to quit th⟨is⟩ Country for the Brazils. An English fl⟨eet⟩ is shortly expected here.