Reservada—

Muy Señor mio: Segun varias noticias secretas, y que por distintos sugetos he recevido parece que los Yngleses proyectan un atentado contra esta Ciudad por haver recivido en ella ã los Americanos, y sus presas,¹ y aunq^e. La recepcion hecha ã dhos Americanos es la misma q^e. Se verifica en los Puertos de Europa, y en las Yslas de America, contra los q^e. Dhos Yngleses no han tomado venganza alguna, quizá se atreverán con esta Plaza por verla indefensa: Nada tendria de cuerdo dho proceder, y mas quando no parece q^e. Ellos estan en estado de procurarse la Guerra, pero las apariencias se conforman con las noticias, pues ya tengo al frente de esta ciudad dos Fragat^s.2 y según los avisos deven venir otras dos. õ tres, de las quales la una se considera en las pasaje este Rio, y se dice qe. Es de 32.. Cañones, cuya Artilleria la pasará otro buque para poder entrar por ellas;³ Si esto és, asi no pueden dhas Fragatas tener otro objeto qe el esta Plaza, pues a Manchak, Natches, y los demas establecim^tos. Yngleses, no tienen que Subir, ni q^e. hacer p^r. q^e. no ay nadie en ellos: El que manda estas Fragatas se dice és un hombre brutal, y capaz de cometer qualquier atentado, sin pararse en consequenc^a.4 Su intencion parece q^e. és la de pedirme las presas de los Americanos, y sus personas particularmente la del Commandante, Ofiziales de su partida, y si no combengo en ello, hacer fueo sobre la Ciudad, y destruirla: Ya se deha ver, y Vs. Conocerá q^e. yo no devo asentir ã tal demanda, (que ya me la hace el Governador de Panzacola en carta q^e. acavo de recivir) y q^e. devo estar como efectivamente lo está Resuelto ã defender dhos Americanos, y sus presas, y emplear p^a. ello todas las fuerzas que tengo aunque son bien pocas, pues seguramente el Rey no aprovaria el que yo dejase impunemente violar el Asilo que dhos Americanos pidieron en su Real nombre, y que bajo la misma proteccion se la ha Concedido; pero como moralmente és casi imposible que yo pueda hazer una gran defensa con poco mas de 200.. hombres casi todos Cumplidos y acrehedores ã Ymbalidos, y quatro Artilleros que aun estan divididos, uno destacado, y los tres en esta Plaza, se hace indispensable, q^e. Vs. me auxilie con algunas Compañias, õ piquetes de esos Regimientos, y algunos Artilleros,⁶ esto es por lo que hace ã fuerzas de tierra, pues p^r. las de Mar és preciso tambien q^e. Vs. pida ã el S^or. Comandante General de ese Departamento el que embie tres o quatro embarcaciones de Guerra ligeras, y manejables en este Rio, ã fin de que con estos auxilios no sean inutiles mis esfuerzos, y qe en caso de Ataque queden con honor, y ventaja las armas del Rey. 

No creo sea menester q^e. yo Suplique ã Vs la prontitud con que deva venir el refuerzo (sea qual fuese) q^e. Vs. me dé pues mis ideas son las de entretener las Contextaciones, y valerme de todos los medios que tengo premeditados para ganar tiempo. 

No obstante los bien fundados Rezelos que tengo, aun no creo que los Yngleses se atrevan ã Ynzultarme pero al mismo tpõ no devo Confiarme de una nacion q^e. ha dado pruevas de poco escrupulosa en guarder feé quando se le antoja. 

La situacion de esta Plaza és la mas rara, y Critica que puede haver; ella esta abierta, y és la unica frontera qe la España tiene con los Yngleses: si la Guerra estubiera declarada estaria mas Segura, por que las defensas empezarian desde la Baliza, pero no estandolo yo no puedo imperdirlo el que den fondo en la misma Levé, õ Muelle y esta és una ventaja como la de tener la Punta de la Espada sobre el pecho, y esperar ã que el Enemigo hiera, y me atraviese para desembainar la mia; Por fin ninguna fatiga ni precaucion perdonare que pueda Contribuir ă la mejor defensa de esta Provincia que el Rey me ha Confiado: Deme Vs. los auxilios que pueda con la mayor prontitud, y al mismo tiempo este sin Cuidado, pues como ya he dicho en nada cedere q^e. pueda perjudicar el honor de la nacion.⁷ 

Dios Guê ã Vs. m^s. a^s. c^o. Deseo. Nuevo Orleans 14. de Abril de 1778/ B Lm. de V.S. su m^s. at^o. serv^t. 

[Translation]

Private 

My Very Dear Sir: According to various secret reports I have received from different individuals, it seems that the English are planning an attack against this City in retaliation for the refuge given to the Americans and their prizes.¹ And although the reception given to said Americans is the same as in the ports of Europe and the Islands of America, against which the English have taken no revenge, they will perhaps venture to do so here because they see the town as defenseless. That action would not be prudent particularly since they do not appear to be prepared to wage war. Nevertheless, appearances seem to confirm these reports as I already have two frigates in front of the City² and according to reports, an additional two or three are expected, one of which, said to be a vessel of thirty-two guns, is at the mouth of the river; her armament will be transferred to another vessel to allow her passage.³ If this is true, these frigates cannot have any other object but this town, as there is no need to move upward and no business to attend to in Manchac, Natchez, and the other English settlements given that no one is there. I have been informed that the commander of these frigates is a brutal man, willing to commit any kind of transgression without regard to the consequences.⁴ It appears he intends to demand I turn over the Americans and their prizes, especially the Commander and the Officers in his party, and to open fire and destroy the city if I do not accede to it. His intention is clear, and Your Lordship knows I cannot accede to such a demand (which the Governor of Pensacola has already made in a dispatch I have just received)⁵ and that I should be, as in fact I am, determined to defend these Americans and their prizes and to use all the forces at my disposal, although they are few, for this purpose; surely the King would not approve of my allowing the violation of asylum and protection granted to the Americans in his Royal name to go unpunished. But, since in practicality it is nearly impossible for me to mount a strong defense with a few more than two hundred men, the majority of whom have served their full terms and are eligible for retirement allowances, including four artillery men who are separated, one on detachment and the other three in this town, it is indispensable Your Lordship assist me with several companies or a detachment from your regiments as well as some artillerymen.⁶ These will be used for land defense while for the defense of the sea it will be necessary that Your Lordship request from the General Commander of that department to send three or four shallow-draft vessels that may be suitable for navigation in this river, so that with this support my efforts will not be futile and that the King's arms may stand victorious and with honor. 

Your Lordship, I do not believe it necessary to point out the immediacy with which these reinforcements should arrive (whatever your Lordship may send me). In the meantime, my idea is prolong the negotiations, making use of every means at my disposal to gain time. 

Although my suspicions are well founded, I still cannot believe the English would dare attack me. At the same time, one must not trust a nation that has proven less than scrupulous in keeping faith when it serves their purpose. 

The situation in this town is as critical and unusual as it could be. It is exposed and is the only border that Spain has with the English. It would be more secure if war was openly declared, as its defenses would begin at Belize, but since it is not, I cannot prevent vessels from anchoring at the levee or wharf, and this is as disadvantageous as having the Tip of a Sword at your chest, just waiting for your enemy to strike, while trying to unsheathe one's own. Be sure, I will forego no precaution that may contribute to the best defense of this province entrusted to me by the King. Your Lordship, give me as soon as possible whatever support you can, and at the same time, rest assured I will not accede to any demands that may jeopardize the honor of the nation.⁷ 

May God protect Your Excellency for many years. New Orleans 14 April 1778./ Your most loyal servant kisses Your hand 

Bern^do. de Gálvez