N^o. 130.

Exmo S^or.

Mui S^or. mio: Aprovecho de esta primera ocasion para participar a V.E. como ha llegado una pequeña partida de Arnericanos sobre este Rio Misisipi mandada por el Capitan Willing, apoderandose de 10s puertos Ingleses nombrados Concordia, Arkansas,¹ Natches, y Manchak²

Muchos vecinos y havitantes de estos establecimientos pasaron con sus bienes en nuestros territories reclamando la proteccion del Soberano q^e. les he acordado, pero los q^e. no lo executaron por falta de tiempo y no quisieron abrazar el partido de las treze provincias unidas, ò a lo menos hazer juramento de neutralidad, fueron hechos prisoneros de Guerra, y los negros y demas bien^s. queseles encontraron han sido aprendidos y pillados por sus enemigos,

Tambien han apresado una fragata mercante de diez y seis cañones³ que se hallava en el ante dho puerto de Manchak, un Bergantin que estava en las pasas de la embocadura de este rio⁴ pronto a salir, y todas las Canoas q^e. encontraron navegandolo.

Por la adjunta copia se enterara V.E. de la Capitulacion hecha por los vecinos y havitantes del Establecim^to. de Natches con el enunciado Cap^n. Willing.⁵

La politica que he tenido con haver acordado a 10s Realistas la proteccion de S.M. q^e. reclamaron segun consta del Bando que incluio,⁶ no solo fuè para que no tuviesen nada que arguir sobre la que tengo concedida a sus contrarios, respecto a que la Ley—deve ser igual en la neutralidad que guardamos, permitiendoles a estos depositer en esta Ciudad las presas hechas contra aquellos.

Con esta dha politica espero sacar grandes ventajas en beneficio del Rey y de esta Provincia, En lo primer0 por que todos los efectos como añil, pieles &^a. que han salvado è introducido en nuestros territorios no saldran de ellos sin lisencia mia y por consiquiente sin pagar los devidos derechos de Extraccion, y En lo segundo por que los negros tanto apresados como los que han sido refujiados en nuestros Dominios, cuios dueños piensan retirarse a Europa seran vendidos y comprados por estos havitantes ni a la mitad de su valor, respecto a la prontitud con que deven hirse los proprietaries, y dudando si el Rey permite que en los puertos de España vendan los insurgentes las presas y sus cargazones, se executara tacitamente la de los dichos negros por los interesados para que jamas pueda constar que Yo huviesse tenido conocimiento de esta maniobra afin de evitar todo argum^to. y queja de parte de la corte de Londres sobre este particular.

La expedicion Americana llegò en las inmediaciones de esta Ciudad donde esta campada con consentimiento mio, y si antes de su salida ocurriesse alguna novedad digna de la atencion de V.E. se la comunicarè oportunamente para su intèligencia y la de S.M.

Todo lo que traslado a la noticia de V.E. para que sirviendose instruir al Rey de este acaecimiento y de mis providencias se digne prevenirme lo que fuere de su r^l. agrado.

Nuestro S^or. que a V.E. los m^s. a^s. que deseo—Nueva Orleans 11. de Marzo de 1778 Ex^mo. S^or. [&c.]

Bern^do. de Galvez

[Translation]
No. 130.
My dear Sir:

Most Excellent Sir:

I shall take this first opportunity to notify Your Excellency that a small party of Americans commanded by Captain Willing, has arrived on the Mississippi River, seizing the English posts called Concordia, Arkansas,¹ Natchez, and Manchac.²

Many neighbors and inhabitants of these establishments pass through our territories with their goods, demanding protection of the Sovereign who has accorded it to them, but those who did not do it for lack of time and did not want to embrace the party of the thirteen United Colonies, or at least to take an oath of neutrality, were taken as prisoners of War, and their negroes and other personal belongings were taken and seized and pillaged by their enemies.

They have also seized a merchant ship of sixteen guns³ which was obtained at the aforementioned post of Manchac, a Brigantine that was passing through the mouth of this river,⁴ preparing to depart, and all the Canoes they encountered on it.

The attached copy is to notify Your Excellency of the Capitulation made to the said Captain Willing by the neighbors and inhabitants of the Natchez establishment.⁵

The policy I have had of according to the Royalists the protection of His Majesty which they claimed according to the Proclamation, which I am including,⁶ was not only so that they would have nothing to reproach us with as far as what I have conceded to their adversaries, with respect to which the law should be equal in the neutrality we are maintaining, allowing them to deposit in this City the prizes made against them.

With this said policy I hope to derive considerable advantages for the King and for this Province. In the first place, because all the goods such as indigo, furs, etc., which the parties saved and brought into our territories will not be sold by them without my permission, and consequently they will have to pay us the proper Export duties, and in the second place, because so many negroes were seized as well as those who have taken refuge in our Dominions, whose owners want to return to Europe, will be sold and purchased by these inhabitants at barely half their value, depending on how quickly the owners want to leave, and doubting whether the King will allow the rebels to sell the seized ships and their cargoes in Spanish ports, the sale of the negroes by those concerned must take place quietly so that it cannot be proven that I know of this business, so as to avoid any quarrels or complaints by the Court of London on this matter.

The American expedition came near this City where it is encamped with my consent, and if before their departure anything new happens worthy of Your Excellency's attention I will notify you promptly, for your information and that of His Majesty.

Regarding everything brought to Your Excellency's attention which serves to inform the King of this event and of the measures I have taken, please inform me of His Majesty's pleasure.

May Our Lord keep you many years—New Orleans 11. of March 1778. Most Excellent Sir. [&c.]