The foregoing is copy of what I had the honor to write you the 15 Instant I received this morning the enclosed letter from the Secretary of State informing me it was the answer of Recredence of Mr. Smith (with a copy of the same which will forward by next Conveyance) Within these few days a very hot press has taken place all over the Country The order of every One hundred fires to produce 4 Men is putting into ⟨ex⟩ecution. The French Army at Zamora is making preparations to move, but whether towards this Country is not known To the Wward at Porto there is also a great press all for soldiers That City alone by that means ⟨is⟩ to furnish a whole Regiment independant of the fires & the peasants are ⟨o⟩rderd to Arms. The day before yesterday a Council of war was held. Yester⟨da⟩y two dispatches were sent off One to Madrid the other to Paris. To day ⟨an⟩other Council is held. Report says the French insist on Garrisoning the [. . .] Ports. The King of Spain has been extreemly ill The Express from Madrid [. . .] yesterday brings accounts of his being out of danger & recovering fast. Charles Pinckney on his way to Madrid arrived at the Isle of White the [. . .] Instant and immediately embarked for Holland to proceed by the way ⟨of⟩ Paris to Madrid. The Sweedish Minister here who is my Brother in Law ⟨in⟩forms me that His Majesty the King of Sweeden is fitting out a Squadron for ⟨the⟩ Mediterranean being determined not to acceede to the proposals of the ⟨Ba⟩shaw of Tripoli on any terms whatever for the present. Our Consul at Madeira will have no doubt acquainted you with the debarkation of a body of British Troops on that Island.

Two expeditions of British M. of W. are arrived in the Brazils. One is said to have disembarked on the Island of St. Catherine. The other went to Rio de Janeiro where it is said they were not well received & sailed to another Port. Some smuggling business has created dissentions at Rio de Janeiro but has quelled again. I am with great respect,