Having met the Prefect on the 29th. ulto. at a dinner given by the Marquis de Casa Calvo, he spoke to me respecting the Brig Hiram1 now on her way to Loftus’s heights with military Stores and after expressing the greatest dissatisfaction at her arrival in the River, he insisted that it was contrary to that Bienseance2 observed between European Nations to send them at the present Moment, & if repeated (recidivé)3 he could not fail to look on it as a hostile disposition.

Not to fatigue you with details I shall not enter into further particulars of our Conversation on the subject, but judging from his manner that something had been agitated respecting this Vessel I made particular enquiries whether he had interfered, the result of which I communicated by an Express to General Wilkinson & inclose you a Copy of my Letter.4 It appears to me that had the Person who was charged with making this shipment in Philadelphia, given the Captain of the Vessel orders to say she was loaded with stores for a/ct of the U. S. without giving a List of the Cargo, as was done on arrival at the Balize, he would have acted more conformably to Prudence & his duty, as this Exposition of the Cargo awakened at once the rapacity & fears of the Prefect & led him to make so imprudent a request. It is not with a view to interfere in any thing which does not immediately concern myself but from a desire to be of Service that I add that Masters of Vessels having Property of the U. S. in their charge ought to be advised to address the Agents of the U. S. here on their arrival, & be regulated by their advice, which in particular circumstances may not only be necessary but indispensable, & it might not even be amiss that they were advised beforehand of the probability of such arrivals that they might take previous measures to give Notice to the Captains by the time of their arrival in the River of the Conduct they ought to pursue. Of this you can best judge & act accordingly. I remain with respect Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servant