I have the honor to acquaint you that the Junta of Etremadura having lately determined on selling the several Cabannas of Merino sheep which they had confiscated; I was enabled to purchase out of them one thousand Paular & one thousand Aguirres sheep. The Paular’s were the Prince of Peace’s Cabanna, and are esteemed one of the finest Cabannas in Spain, in point of form, size, and fineness & weight of fleece. The Aguirres are a much smaller breed, but are reputed not to be excelled in Spain for the fineness of their fleece. Some of each of those Cabannes I have shipped on board the schooner Grey-hound—Captn Baxter, now bound to Richmond;—This has afforded me so handsome an opportunity of fulfilling a promise I formerly made to you, that I could not forego the opportunity, and I have taken the liberty to desire the Collector of the District of Richmond to select a paular & an Aguirres ewe from the shipment and to hold them subject to your orders; which pair of ewes, I hope sir you will do me the favour to accept. I have directed the Collector to hold them subject to your instructions.

The french have blockaded Almeida, have entered Penhel, where the British were a few days since, the English falling back on their positions & the head quarters are at Celorico. Considerable alarm begins now to be for the safety of the Country.

A slight indisposition & press of business prevents my adding any thing more than the assurances of my great veneration & respect—and of my remaining