[Extract]

I shall continue to direct the strictest attention to the various matters interesting the Service of the King and especially these matters that you particularly recommended to me, My lord. Myd Rochford spoke to me yesterday about the ships now being commissioned in Spain advancing only that the Opposition observes that large vessels could not be intended for the coast of Africa since the waters are not deep enough to allow these ships to get close to it. I answered, My lord, in the manner that you dictated, and Myd Rochford assured me that he was equally convinced that these ships were intended for no other purpose than the war against the King of Morocco. . . .

The troops in destination of America are about to depart from Corke in Ireland, and the Generals will leave any time in order to embark at Portsmouth.

There is much talk about two ships from Virginia that are said to have sailed directly to Dunkerque in order to unload their cargo of tobacco without calling at any British port. If this fact is true and is repeated, the merchants of London and Glasgow who have raised so high the price of their tobacco will be disappointed in their waiting. This is a clear infraction of the Navigation Act; but it is up to the British and not to us to carry out the inforcement of their trade laws. The Corporation of the City of London has presented a remonstrance to the King. You will find it in substance in the Bulletin. You will find there also, My lord, a new promotion list of Admirals. They gave their thanks to the King yesterday at his levee. Myd. [?] who was present came to tell me in jest that I did not seem to take this promotion as a sign of war. I answered in the same tone that I regarded this promotion as an answer to our Marshals of France.

Since the New Lord Bristol has resigned his seat at the Council of the Admiralty the King has appointed the Knight Palisser to take his succession.