N^o: 78.
My Lord

This Day sennight I had the Honor to address to your Lordship my last Letter.

I have lately received from M^r. Edmund Elsden of Lynn a Letter acquainting me that Application had been made to your Lordship in order to procure the Release of James Grice¹ (Ransomer to the Brig Patty) now Prisoner on board the Rebel Cutter commanded by Gustaf Cunningham.² I am therein desired, in case his Liberty cannot be obtained unconditionally, to pay Cunningham or his Agents the Ransom. I have had similar Directions from the Owners of other vessels which have been taken and sent into the Ports of my Department, but having some Doubt respecting the Propriety of ransoming them as it can only tend to encourage the American Privateers to continue in these Seas, and appears inconsistent with the Application made to the Court of Spain not to permit the Disposal of such Prizes in its Dominions. I did not think to undertake it without express Orders from Lord Grantham. His Excellency has just wrote me that he had applied to the Spanish minister for the Release of James Grice unconditionally, but seems to be of my Opinion respecting the Propriety of paying the Ransom, hence before I take any Steps therein I most humbly beg to be honor'd with your Lordship's respected Commands for the Rule of my Conduct.

This Port has received no visits from American Privateers since Cunningham's Departure who is said to be still in Bilbao where his last Prize was permitted to be sold publickly without the least Interruption—

I most humbly beg leave to recommend myself to the Continuance of your Lordship's Favor and Protection thro' which I flatter myself to be removed to a better Consulship when a vacancy will admit of it, and have the Honor to be with the greatest veneration. [&c.]