N^o 72.
My Lord.

I am honor'd with your Lordship's circular Letter of the 4^th: of last month, and sincerely rejoice at the happy news contained therein.

On Friday last the 30^th: Instant several english vessels being seen off this Harbour Cunningham put to Sea, and in less than thirteen Hours from his Departure, within Cannon Shot of this Harbour, took and sent into Ferrol the Brig Syren Captain James Renolls from Newfoundland with 2500 Quintals of Codfish. The master and all the Crew excepting three were brought in here the same night, and have made their Protest,¹ an attested Copy of which I imediately sent to the Captain General with a strong memorial representing the Affront Cunningham had offer'd to His Catholick Majesty's Rights by seizing a vessel under the Protection of his Cannon and praying that the Ship and Cargoe might be restored to its real Owners since it could not be consider'd a legal Capture.

The Answer he returned was to the same Purpose as those he has constantly hitherto been pleased to amuse us with, viz that he will examine into it. He promised the same in his Answer to the Representation I made about the forcibly seizing and carrying off the Seaman John Jordan (of which I had the Honor to acquaint your Lordship in my last N^o: 71)² yet never made the least Enquiry about it. It is in vain to expect Redress here, I am rather inclined to think that imediate Permission will be given to land and dispose of the Cargoe without even once examining our Claim as has already been done with the Cargoe of the Two Brothers (mentioned in my Letters N^o: 68, & 69,)³ for the Sale of which Leave has been obtained from Madrid. Nevertheless I flatter myself His Majesty's Ambassador to whom I have transmitted the necessary Documents will meet with better Success, and obtain the Restoration of the Brig Syren to the master and Crew, who remain here in expectation of the Result.

It is said Cunningham has sent two other Prizes into Ferrol⁴ but I have not yet received any certain Information thereof, however he continues cruizingat the mouth of this Harbour within the Headland that not a vessel can escape him. His principal Object at present is a french vessel named the Gracieux⁵ Cap: Emanuel de Tournois which is every moment expected from London with a valuable Cargoe of woolens.

The Cantabria Packet is just arrived from Buenos Ayres, and brings Intelligence that on the Arrival there of the Diana Packet, which left this Harbour six Months ago, Peace was proclaimed and all Hostilities ceased.⁶ I have the Honor to be [&c.]

P.S. The Brig Dispatch, Emanael LeGeyte of Jersey bound to this Place from Newfoundland with Codfish is taken and this moment sent in here by Cunningham.