I attended yesterday to the Vissit made by the Inspector of the Artillery of the Cannon laying at this Port belonging to Monsr. Le Bertin. The report is as favorable as can be given as to their appearance which is all that can be said of them until Proved. The following is the list given me in by the person who has them under his care.

There are in other Ports more belonging to the same concern on the same Mold. You will please to observe that the proving of such heavy Artilery amounts to a considerable Sum. Should you see fitting to order the proving be assured of my due attention as also to the quality of the Powder which being a perquisite of the Captain of the Port is made frequently with very little precaution.

Monsieur de La Touche has been so obliging as to order a frigate to take our Ships round from La Rochelle to Nantes where I expect they are arrived and loading the Various Articles there lodged which Mr. Schweighauser assured us would be prepared ready at their Arrival.

The latest Arrivals we have at this Port is from Alexandria of 20 Septembre of course we are without any intelegence other than is at your hands.

I have the Honor to be with due Respect, Sirs Your most Obedient Humble Servant

Your Favour of the Sixth of this Month, reached me, three days ago, I am much obliged to you, for communicating to me, the Intelligence contained in it. These orders of Government, afford no Ground for any decisive Conclusions respecting the Intentions of Spain, yet they discover that the Court is attentive to the Progress of the War, and We may expect that the more they think upon the Subject, the Sooner, they will be convinced of the Importance of it, to their Interests, and of the Wisdom of their taking a Part in it.

I can give you, no News from America, because Several Vessells have arrived at Bilboa, which left Boston and Newbury Port later than any We have from America.

All the News We have here respects the Captures of French Vessells by the English Privateers, and of English Privateers, by the French Men of War, in which they have been very Successfull. The Number of British Sailors, which has been captivated, is very considerable much more so than the Number of French Sailors taken by the English, which is perhaps a greater Loss to them, than the Capture of larger Portions of their Property, would have been.

I Shall be much obliged to you, for the Continuance of your Favours, because Intelligence is the soul of War, as it is indeed of every Thing human, but ispecially because every Thing that happens in Spain in Consequence of orders from Government, is important. I am, with much Respect, Sir, your humble servant.

In Answer to your Letter of the seventeenth Instant,1 We desire you 233would ship to America, all the Goods belonging to the United States, of every sort. And consequently to write for no more Workmen, but dismiss, immediately, all that remain if any.

We can give you no Directions about the Articles “entreposed” for the Coast of Guinea: because We understand nothing about the Matter. We neither understand, why, they were entreposed—nor what entreposing is.2

It is impossible for Us to apply to the Minister, without understanding the subject and knowing what Minister We are to apply to, and what Favour We are to apply for.

We leave it to your Judgment, to remove the salt Petre in the cheapest And best Manner for the Interest of the states.