I had the honor to address you, under date the 6th of last month, ⟨   ⟩ing returns from this district for the last Six months, ending the 31st december last, to which permit me to refer you.

I now cover you copy of a note received from the Captain of the Port of this City, of the 10th Last month. On that day, The Ship George Augustus of Boston, Jos: Jackson master, and The Brig Swift, of Providence, Rhode Island, Chs. Randall master, were taken possession of by the Public Authority, ⟨t⟩he Cargoes being on Shore and under my Controul and refusing ⟨to⟩ acknowledge them Subject to that notice. No Step was ⟨ta⟩ken to enforce it; About The same time, The Ship Concord, ⟨a⟩nd Cargo of New York, James Russel, Master, was Seized at ⟨Ay⟩emonte, Her Rudder, unshipped, her Sails & yards, deposit⟨ed⟩ on Shore, and a Guard put on board the Ship.

My reply to the Captain of the port, under date the ⟨16th.⟩ Ulo. I also Inclose, and have the pleasure to advise you ⟨tha⟩t I received an order for the Liberation of the Geo. Augustus & ⟨the⟩ Swift on the 20th, and on the 22d. They Sailed for the United States. ⟨An⟩ order for releasing the Concord & Cargo followed in a few days. She still remains at Ayemonte, but I do not apprehend any ⟨further⟩ difficulty to her, or, Cargo. The Brig Mary, Hunt, from Phila⟨delphia⟩ similarly Circumstanced has also been Liberated, with ⟨the⟩ declaration “that she could not be comprized in the Late decr⟨ee as⟩ The Captain was Ignorant of it”. And I have substantia⟨l reason⟩ to beleive all the Vessels brought into Algeziras, under this ⟨decree⟩ of the 3/ 8 Jany. will in a few days be restored. Nor at pre⟨sent⟩ does this Government, or that of the French in Portugal S⟨hew⟩ any dispositions to operate upon their late decrees, but on ⟨the⟩ contrary, exhibit every disposition to encourage Shipments ⟨   ⟩ and the neighbouring Country, Where provisions are more in value daily, and want must soon overtake these de⟨pendent⟩ Countries provided, a suspension of our Intercourse Contin⟨ues⟩

The French Armies that have entered this Kingdom ⟨   ⟩ about 100,000 Men. They have possessed themselves of Some of ⟨the⟩ Strongest places on the Frontier, And the prevalent opinion ⟨is⟩ That Cadiz and the Towns in its neighbourhood will soon ⟨have⟩ Strong Garrisons of French Troops. It is believed Cadiz alone ⟨will⟩ receive fifteen Thousand. With high respect & Esteem, ⟨I have⟩ the honor to be Sir Your mo: Obt. Sert.