I think it necessary to acquaint Your Lordship that information having been given me by two masters of English vessels, with their voluntary declarations on oath to the truth of what they affirmed, that an American sloop, under American colors, that put in here a few days since, by a contrary wind, from Barcelona bound to New York, had warlike 1itores on board, I thought it my duty to insist upon a proper scrutiny, and the search was accordingly made, but nothing found on board of what had been mentioned to me, tho' there were undoubtedly the greatest motives for suspicision, the sloop being of infinitely too small a burthen to suppose that a lawful trade at this juncture could be anyways answerable, added to the circumstance of her going from Cadiz to Barcelona with ballast, and returning here with the same, bound to New York.

Both the masters of the English vessels assert in their declaration, that they had had their intelligence from another who was at Barcelona when the American was there, who affirmed to them that he was confident arms had been shipped on board the sloop at that place, that he knew the person who had procured them for the American captain, and whom they were in particular intended for at New York.

So many circumstances concurring to enhance my suspicions, I thought it incumbent on me to take the step I have mentioned, and as similar cases may daily happen, I should be glad to be informed if my conduct in the present, meets His Majesty's approbation.

The Master had no pass, and the two English captains still insist that the arms were on board, but concealed in such a manner as not to be easily come at; he sailed a few hours after the search was made. I have great reason to think that many of those American vessels that have lately sailed from the different ports of this kingdom, bound to the continent, have carried with them warlike stores. I shall endeavour to prevent any thing of this kind happening here, tho' I suspect that two of them that left this port the latter end of October, did smuggle on board a small quantity of muskets, as I then advised the Earl of Rochford in my letter of the 31st of the said month.