Most confidential.

I informed Your Excellency in my No 3, that Mr Arthur Lee, an Agent from the Congress, has lately set out for Madrid. Secret Information has been given that the Object of his journey is to obtain the consent of Spain that the Americans may take possession of one of the Islands of Zafarina ² in Latitude 35°, betwixt Melilla and Mejerda, which place they propose as an Establishment convenient for an Admiralty Jurisdiction.

Your Excellency will endeavour to learn with proper caution whether such a Plan is in agitation and if you should find any grounds for this Inform;ition, you will immediately in the most express terms apply to the Ministers of His Catholic Majesty, and require from them a Declaration whether they deem these Islands as part of their Pos:;essions in Africa.