This letter I think must be divided into two parts, one to consist of what has actually occurred since my last, the other of the reports which have been circulated to day & have gained some Credit. To begin in the order of time, the Portugueze Ambassador at the French Court reached here about eight days since. It is said that before he left Paris, he made three applications for an Audience of the Emperor, but received no answer to either. He then went to the place where the Emperor gives common Audience & requested to know his determination regarding Portugal. He replied to him to go to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, & if the Prince chose to comply with the terms the Minister stated the Ambassador might return, but if not, it was unnecessary. The Ambassador thought it a matter of so much importance that he rode post & reached here in eleven days. Since his return it has been understood that s⟨e⟩vere measures were to be pursue⟨d⟩ against the English. On the 7th: there were orders issued for the seizure of all British effec⟨ts⟩ as well as all the British Man⟨u⟩factures in the Customhouse. This was done, & several vessel⟨s⟩ was seized in the River & all the British property in the Customhouse, but no search was made in the houses of individuals ⟨or⟩ on board Neutral vessels. A few days before an order came out ⟨for⟩ all house keepers to send in ⟨a⟩ list of their families as well ⟨as⟩ of all persons that were in th⟨eir⟩ Houses, particularly specifying ⟨of⟩ what nation they were. Wh⟨en⟩ the order came out for the sei⟨zure⟩ it was also reported that in ⟨a⟩ day or two the persons of th⟨e⟩ English here would be siezed. This as may be supposed caused much bustle. The few that were here flew in all directions, Some on board of vessels ⟨s⟩ome to the Country & to day about a half a dozen Irishmen only were ⟨to⟩ be seen in Lisbon. In the highth ⟨of⟩ this Scene it was reported that the Portugueze Ambassador at the Court ⟨of⟩ Spain had reached here in the ⟨co⟩urse of yesterday, that Spain had declared War upon this Country ⟨&⟩ that in consequence the ports of ⟨th⟩is Kingdom would be again open to British Vessels. The Ambassador ⟨ho⟩wever has not reached here, ⟨b⟩ut it is positively said that he is ⟨o⟩n his route. It is very doubtful ⟨w⟩hether the Spaniards have declared war, although some beleive it. The ⟨S⟩panish Consul told me to day ⟨th⟩at he beleived it was the case. The port unquestionably would not be opened unless the Prince has been determined ⟨by⟩ some information he has re⟨c⟩eived within 48 hours to embark ⟨for⟩ the Brazils, & then it would only ⟨be⟩ to take the benifit of such ⟨v⟩essels as may drop in to assist in the embarkation. But after the return of the Ambassador from Paris it was generally understood as before observed that the Prince would acquiesce in the dema⟨nds⟩ of the French Cabinet & the seizure of the British property was but a prelu⟨de⟩ to the measures that would be pursued and I am persuaded that this opinion will be found to ⟨be⟩ correct provided the Court are sat⟨is⟩fied that the integrity of Portugal will be preserved to the Crow⟨n⟩ The impressments for the Army sti⟨ll⟩ continues, but those for the Navy have rather Slackened although ⟨se⟩veral of the Ships have not ab⟨ove⟩ half their Crews There are 9 line ⟨of⟩ battle Ships prepared 4 frigates & 4 smaller vessels. Several of them a⟨re⟩ yet without Provisions & none of them fully so. I imagine the ter⟨ms⟩ the French have demanded is th⟨e⟩ Navy, the siezure of British Manuf⟨ac⟩tures & property & of their persons, the prohibition of Manufactures & pro⟨perty⟩ for the future. Preparations are st⟨ill⟩ making for the defense of the mouth of the harbour.

When the last packet arrived, as I mentioned in my last, it was reported & generally beleived that our differences with England were adjusted and it was stated to me from the British Consul that the British Government had actually complied with our demands: but when I received my papers, which was not till the next day, after the passengers came ashore, and saw the King’s proclamation of the 10th. Octr. I was Satisfied that the reverse was precisely the case. It was an unfortunate prelude to Mr Rose’s mission. I am Surprised that they would send him after its publication, unless that Government thinks us so tame as that an indirect disavowal of a most flagitious outrage will not only satisfy us for that, but for the numberless insults offered us beside, a⟨s⟩ well as those which that very document countenances their Officers in committing. As a we⟨ll⟩ wisher to our neutral Station I hope that Mr Rose carries out instructions of a very different complexion.

A number of our vessels have obtained very hi⟨gh⟩ freights from England: and as ⟨I⟩ understood that Mr Gambier ⟨is⟩ authorised to grant, I advised the Captains not to go withou⟨t⟩ obtaining the protecting Certifi⟨cate⟩ of which the inclosed is a co⟨py⟩ and each has got one. Inclos⟨ed⟩ are also copies of the several documents mentioned in ⟨my⟩ preceding letters. With entire Res⟨pect⟩ I have the honor ⟨to be⟩ Sir Yr Mo: Ob: Se⟨rvt⟩