I had the honor to write you 6th. Ultimo since which nothing has transpired with respect to the Political situation of this Country on which any dependence can be placed. An express arrived last sunday from Paris thro Spain ⟨to⟩ this Court. It appears pretty evident that the answer to be sent by this Government ⟨i⟩s reduced to the monosyllables yes or no—Peace on certain hard conditions or ⟨in⟩vasion. The Portuguese have gained so much time by delay that if it is possible for them to avoid the threatned invasion this Autumn & winter they will probably ⟨es⟩cape as at those seasons the weather is mild and the springs filled & no obstacle can be in the way of an army marching. Notwithstanding the Peace was publiced ⟨he⟩re but not given outor publickly distributed ’till the 6 Instant—three months after the ratification no alteration has been made & British vessels continue to enter & ⟨sa⟩il. Yesterday arrived the British M. of W. Cutter swift in 8 days from Spithead with dispatches for the British Minister & this Government. Nothing has yet been ⟨sa⟩id relative to the contents of them. A convoy had previously sailed from ⟨En⟩gland composed of three line of battle ships two frigates with several Merchant ⟨vessels ⟩ many of them with Stores for this government. The Portuguese Army at ⟨A⟩brantes have the major part of them been distributed about the Country. The three Emigrant Regiments in the British pay have returnd to this City. The Spanish Army have received orders to retire to the different departments ⟨ the⟩y belong—but its a matter of doubt whether they will retire from some of ⟨the⟩ different fortifications they took possession of, having thoroughly repaired ⟨Ca⟩mpo Mayor & Germania & erected additional works to them. Mr. Smith ⟨sai⟩led yesterday in the Packet for Falmouth. Previous to his departure ⟨h⟩as presented to the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs Dn. Joao de Almeida Mello de Castro, who gave me every assurance the most pointed attention ⟨wo⟩ud always be paid to ay representation I may have to make on behalf ⟨of⟩ our Government or Citizens. Inclosed is the Treaty of Peace in the ⟨Por⟩tuguese language also a Copy of a letter I have just received from our ⟨Con⟩sul at Gibraltar. As the Arrival of Commodore dale in the Mediterranean with the Squadron under his Command has been of the most essential Service to our Navigation, have given it as my opinion to the Commanders of mercha⟨nt⟩ vessels that they are perfectly safe in going as far as Malaga in consequen⟨ce⟩ several have sailed. I shoud have given the preference to their touching at Gibraltar for Information but as the Spanish Cruisers capture & condemn every vessel they meet in the Streights bound to that Port have advised them not to touch there on any pretence or even to have a paper on boa⟨rd⟩ with the name of Gibraltar on it as that alone it seems has caused some vessels to be carried into Algeserez by them.

Mr. James Simpson Our Consul at Tangier has sent me an order for 50 Gun Carriages for 18 pounders and 50 Gun Carriages for 24 Pounders to be made of the best Materials Iron Axeltrees & high wheels for His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Moroco I have written him if he is not sanctioned by His Excy. The President to have them made to lodge a credit with me for the Amount as I have received no orders thro You to that purport. I request the favor of your informing me. If I am to ⟨send⟩ this order and I will most readily do it as well as every other Comman⟨d⟩ of His Excy. the President of the U States. I have the honor to be Sir Your most humble & most devoted Servant.