[Extract]

. . . Your Lordship will be pleased to observe, in my letter No. 7. of 23d Sepr I mention in it, to your Lordship, that I had wrote, to the Commander of His Majestys Fleet at Jamaica, that a Vessel might be sent, to inspect along the Coast; I also wrote, to Governor Chester at Pensacola to apply to the Commander of His Majestys ships there, that no illicit trade might be carried on by the Spaniards, on the Western Coast of this Province.

This was done, in consequence of reports made to me, by our Settlers at the Musketers, that the Spaniards came on our coast and into the Rivers, to entice away their Slaves. I informed all the Settlers, the moment they sent me intelligence, of the arrival, of any Spaniards, I would without delay, dispatch the Government Vessel, with proper Officers on Board, to examine the Spaniards, and warn them away; but, I have had no report of any Spaniards, although I have constantly on every occasion inquired into it: the answer I receive is, that the Spaniards have not appeared this Year. The complaint I am very apt to think, was intirely, without real foundation, and calculated to serve some private purposes, which may perhaps hereafter appear. I also inquired, if any Slaves, had ever been taken off by the Spaniards? I do not find, my Lord, that any Slave ever was taken.

I have the honour to be with the greatest respect &c.