[Extract]
S^or. Gov^or.​ General

Mui s^or. mio y de mi ma^or Veneraz^on. Acabo de tener noticias ciertas de la entrada en el Lago¹ de una Balandra Guarda costa de S. M. B. montada de 4 canones 12 pedreros y 25 à 30 hombres,² y para que en un todo, pueda yo caminar arra alado à la voluntad de VE, le vengo tenga à bien remitirme las ordenes por el escrito de lo que devo executar en caso que sus oficiales soliciten desembarcarse, ô que en las inmediaciones de este Fuerte³ ye baso de su Artilleria, pretenda el Capitan reconoser las embarcaciones que entran y salen por el Bayu,⁴ segun y como acontesio el año pp^do. y de cuio proceder haviendo dado parte al superior Govierno rezibi las dos adjuntas ordenes.. . . Estero de S^n. Juan 5 de Febro. de 1778. [&c.]⁵

[Translation]
Governor General

My dear and most Venerated Lord: I have just received certain news of the entrance into this Lake¹ of a Guarda costa Sloop of His Britannic Majesty, mounting 4 guns and 12 swivels, with a crew of 25 to 30 men,² and so that in everything I can act according to Your Excellency's will, please send orders in writing as to what I should do in case their officers ask permission to disembark, or if in the immediate vicinity of this Fort,³ or under its guns, the Captain presumes to examine the vessels that enter and leave this Bayou,⁴ as happened last year and of which, having informed the superior Government, I received the two attached orders.. . . Bayou St. John, 5 Feb. 1778. [&c.]⁵

Josef Petely