Mui S^or. mio. El papel de V.E. de 18 del corr^te trata de tres Presas enviadas al Ferrol y a la Coruña por los Armadores Americanos y del abuso que de nuestros Puertos hace el llamado Cunningham, sobre qué ha dado sus quesas el Consul Inglés al Comandⁿ General de Galicia.

En uno y otro punto estan dadas las ordenes generales, que ofreci, claras y decisivas y se repiten cada dia los encargos para su puntual observancia. Conforme a ellas se ha verificado en muchos casos la egecucion y aun la declaracion de mala Presa de algun Bastimento y efectos. Seria justo que los que inflaman a V.E. con noticias de contravenciones le repriesen la observancia que han tenido las ordenes dadas en otros muchos casos.

Sobre las Presas de q^e me habla V.E. hai procesos y justificasiones pendientes, relativas a si pueden navegar ô nó y si la carga se pierde. Sin otras justificaciones iquales ô mayores no se puede resolver aqui con seguridad lo que sea justo. Por esta razon he dicho a V.E. que se habia mandado a los comandates y Gobernadors oir en justicia a los Interesados con apelaciones al consejo de guerra que es el Tribunal proprio de estas materias conforme a nuestros Tratados. Por este correo se repiten las mismas ordenes y V.E. podra prevenir a quien corresponda el medio que tiene de obtener justicia.

Lo mismo digo del que se llama abuso de los Puertos: pues para convencer a una Persona, tan graduada como un Comand^te, de colusion con los armadores ô sus factores se requieren pruebas formales. Con ellas crea V.E. que el Rei sabe hacerse obedecir, y q^e por un efecto de su justicia y de su probidad no faltará sanas [ ?] a lo que por mi medio se ha dado a entender a V.E: asequrandole que deseo y procuro cultivar la buena correspondencia que reina entre nuestras cortes y servir a V.E. en lo que me mandare. Nro S^r g^e la vida de V.E. m^s. a^s. c^o. d^o. Sⁿ Lor^zo el R¹ 18 de Novre de 1777 [&c.]

P.D. Estan dadas las ordenes sobre el punto del comvoi, que se recela pueda unirse en Bilbao; aunque tengo por incierta la especie, ynacida de algun espiritu inquieto, o bullicioso.

Translation
Most Excellent Sir.

Your Excellency's Office of the 18^th Instant treats of three Prises sent to Ferrol & to the Coruña by American Privateers, & of the Abuse which Cunningham makes of our Ports, upon which Subject the English Consul has made his Complaints to the Commandant General of Galicia.

Upon both these points, the clear & positive orders which I offered, are given, & daily charges are made for their observance. Agreably to these they have in many cases been executed &even some declarations been made of the Illegality of the Captures of some Vessels & Effects.

It would be fair if the Persons who excite your Excellency with Accounts of breaches of these orders, would likewise inform you of the Instances in which they have been observed. With regard to the Prizes of which your Excellency speaks to me, there are proceedings & Enquiries going forward, as to their sailing or not, & as to the State of their Cargoes. It is impossible to decide here without such Documents what is just. For this reason I acquainted your Ex^y that orders had been given to Commandants & governors to hear legally the Claims of the Parties interested with appeals to the Council of war, which is the Tribunal to which according to our Treaties these matters belong By this very Post the same Orders are repeated & y^r Ex^y may give notice to the proper Persons of the means of obtaining justice.

I say the same with regard to what is called, Abuse of our Ports. But to convict so dignified a Personage as a Commandant of Collusion with Privateers or their Agents, formal Proofs are necessary. Believe me, that were there such, the King knows how to make himself obeyed & that out of his Justice & Probity he will never be wanting in supporting, what has at any time been communicated by me to y^r Ex^y. I assure you at the same Time that I desire & endeavour to cultivate the good Harmony which exists between our Courts, & to serve y^r Ex^y in y^r Commands. God grant y^r Ex^y long life &^c. Sⁿ Lorenzo. 18 Nov 1777.

Signed

El Conde de Floridablanca

NB. Added in the Minister's own hand.
P:S. Orders are given on the subject of the Convoy, which it was suspected was to meet at Bilbao, altho' I consider the Notion as groundless & arising from some inquiet & turbulant Disposition.