Sir

Tho' I have not succeeded in the application's I have already made to your Excellency, in favor of His Britannic Majesty's Loyal Subjects, now in your province, I cannot help mentioning a circumstance, that has come to my knowledge and is of a very serious nature. I am well informed, that several British Seamen have lately been made Prisoners in the Town of New-Orleans, carried off in chains, & put on board the ship Rebecca (now under the protection of the Spanish Government) where they are still confined, and in the greatest distress.

I cannot conceive, that such enormities have been committed with your Excellency's sanction, as they are totally repugnant to the desire you profess of maintaining the Peace, that subsists between our Nations, and of observing a strict neutrality in the present contest between Great Britain & her Colonies. I am now to request, that your Excellency would cause an enquirey to be made into this affair, and you would exercise your authority in ordering that all the British Subjects, who have been made Prisoners on the Spanish Territory, to be immediately set at liberty, and that ample satisfaction be given for what they have suffered. I have taken the freedom, to enclose for your Excellency's perusal, two Articles of the Treaty concluded between England and Spain, at Cambray, 5^th August 1529, which I conceive to have been ratified in all subsequent Treaties. I have the honor to be [&c.]