N^o. 69. 

My Lord. 

I humbly beg leave to refer to my last Letter of the first Instant. 

Being informed the next day that Cunningham was going to take in a fresh Supply of Stores and Amunition from his Prizes, I presented a Petition to the Captain General that he would be pleased in compliance with His Catholick Majesty's Orders to command him to leave this Port seeing he had been allowed Time more than sufficient to provide himself with Provisions and necessaries. the Answer I received and which I sent to My Lord Grantham was that Cunningham had no Design to take any thing from his Prizes, that he came here merely by Stress of Weather, and should de part as soon as it cleared up. In order to prevent any Doubt that inight be affected concerning the Weather, as soon as it proved fair I applied to the King's Pilot to certify it, with Intent to inclose his Certificate in a fresh Application to the General, when I heard to my great Surprise that Cunningham had quite unrigged his vessel, and under Pretext of its having received some Damage had obtained Permission to repair and refit it. I immediately waited on the General and requested the Favor of him to acquaint me with his Reasons for granting such Permission after the Answer he had been pleased to give me to the memorial I presented him the Day before, he replied that Cunningham's vessel was not in Condition to put to Sea, that it could not be his Catholic Majesty's Intention to refuse Assistance to People in Distress, that the new mast he received from the Inspector of the Packets on his first Arrival here was too large for the winter Season, but that as soon as it was lessened, and he was provided with the necessaries he wanted he would immediately order him to depart. however there can be no Doubt other Excuses will be found, and Cunningham be permitted to remain here as long as he pleases, I am extremely sorry I have not been able to succeed, for some of His Majesty's ships are now actually of this Harbour, which is the real Cause of Cunningham's putting in here. 

This Pirate has also represented to the General that his Prize the Two Brothers containing four thousand Quintals of Fish is so much out of Repair that the Cargoe must perish if not landed, and this is done in order to sell it which it would be impossible to hinder if it is once brought on Shore. I presented another memorial to the General yesterday to acquaint him that Cunningham had another Prize¹ in this Harbour empty, and fit to receive the Cargoe, and that if it was true the Two Brothers was really in the Condition it was represented to be the Cargo might be put on board that vessel, since he well knew it would be difficult, if not altogether impossible to prevent the Sale of it if landed, This morning I received his Answer that he had sent Cunningham's Representation to Court, and should not determine in the Affair untill he received an Answer. It is true My Lord that he has sent it to Court, but with a Representation of his own that the Country is very much in want of this Article and would receive great Relief from this Cargoe, which however is not true. I have the Honor to be [&c.]