[Extract]
​No 9

. . . Respecting the future protection of the British trade in this place; I hope that, considering the central situation of the coast, the appearance of the king's cruizing ships on this station in pursuance of the directions your Lordship has caused to be issued for their occasional call at Lisbon; will be frequent enough to answer our purpose of convoys, without the necessity of any regular assignations; At least till the restored confidence of the merchants shall again embolden them, more generally than at present, to commit their property to british bottoms in preference to foreign; which latter now swarm here to an extent unknown, as I am well assured, during any French or Spanish war: In the whole of last month, three British merchant ships alone have entered this port.

At Oporto, the case of his majesty's subjects is still more deplorable, being in fact nothing less than that of a blockade — By letters just arrived from thence, of the 7th instant, it appears, that one rebel privateer is regularly stationed between Oporto & Vianna: Two others between Vianna & the Bayone islands; and a fourth was then recently spoken with by a Brazil ship, off C: Finisterre.

Of these, the Warren schooner, of 10 guns, Nicholas Ogilvie or Ogilbie master, of Marblehead, has taken three vessels; One on the 2d instant, & two on the 4th; the particulars were from Oporto immediately dispatched to the admiralty with request of assistance; and expresses both from thence & from this place, to Admiral Mann at Gibraltar.

The Warren has also taken another vessel of which I have not learned the name.

All these privateers, as well as many others which according to their own reports sailed along with them, are the produce of New England. And I apprehend it to be material to observe, that their force is generally con­temptible; pitifully manned & hardly ever mounting above twelve little Guns; often eight, six & even four: These, keeping much closer to the shore than is possible for the great ships hitherto employed against them, are generally either invisible during the appearance of the others; or if detected, croud sail; & unless in the accident of a high sea, perpetually outstrip them.

I take the liberty to observe, that these mischiefs, as well as the credit redounding to the rebels, by such public & sounding appearances of exertion, might be prevented in respect of this coast, by even one small sloop or a stout cutter, that with faithful activity should cruize on this station alone.

I have troubled your Lordship a great deal on this subject; Yet I think I ought not to omit one other circumstance: The Warren's people were particularly careful to secure the Mediterranean passes of the ships that fell into their hands; Your Lordship will judge whether any general order ought to be made in this matter; In the mean time, I have directed that it be recommended to all masters of ships, frequenting especially this place & Oporto, that they keep their passes constantly fastened to a weight; & throw them overboard as soon as they shall be assured that they cannot escape. If, as in one case which I have mentioned they should be dismissed; The Admiralty could not I presume make any difficulty to release their bonds, on due proof, & provide them with new passes. I have even ventured to hold out that assurance as the condition of their public spirit. . . .