Your Letter of the 20th. ulto. came to hand this Evening. I shall in every thing as far as I am able endeavor to fulfill your Wishes, and regret that the immediate return of the Post prevents my replying to some of the subjects mentioned in it, which I will take an immediate opportunity of doing. I flatter myself you will excuse the hasty & inaccurate manner in which the duplicate of the Memorandums respecting this Country, now forwarded1 are put together; they were at first meant merely as hints for Mr Skipwith to make such use of as he might think proper, and the time pressing I had not leisure to attempt to correct the style of them, even had I been better calculated for such a Business. The truth & exactness of these remarks must be my only excuse & I rely on your usual indulgence for me. The President having honored me with a Letter I inclose my answer open to you.2 I am uncertain whether there is or not any impropriety in replying directly to our first Magistrate—should there be any I entreat you will suppress the Letter, and be kind enough to give him assurances of my disposition to exert myself to the utmost on all occasions in his & my Country’s Service. If you see no impropriety in its being delivered, permit me to request you to seal & have it forwarded. The Satisfaction generally expressed throughout this Country on the event of the Cession is great, and no symptoms of discontent are manifested except by a very small Portion of the Merchants & Mechanics and a number of Seamen & Adventurers lately arrived from France on whom the Prefect has been practising his revolutionary Arts since his arrival. He is a violent & bad Man whose Projects of Plunder & Monopoly are ended, can brook no contradiction, manifests a hatred & pretended Contempt for our Nation, has disgusted all the Spanish Authorities, and by his Conduct has lost the Confidence of all the well disposed & thinking People. He will not fail, should it be in his Power to do us every possible injury & will stick at no measures to obtain his Ends. I think it necessary to inform you of this, that you may be prepared for any Event whatever. I have the Honor to remain with respect & Esteem Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servt.