[Extract]

. . . It has been observed to mt;,that Prizes instead of being brought into french ports might be sold with secrecy & care, by landing the Goods on an Island near the mouth of the Loire, where french Vessels might come & take them; & perhaps in this way it might be contrived to dispose of the Ships without making a noise, but at least they could be there easily destroyed. ー I mention this because I think some precaution necessary, for you may depend that there are spies in this & other ports. . . . Lord Suffolk is so industrious that the London Gazette when it contains anything against us finds its way hither one or two days before any other news . . .