'TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ.

• Portland, Port Royal, Jamaica,

< 6th Nov. 1773.

His Majesty's ship the Garland, Captain Judd, joined me in this port the 4th instant, 'from the bay of Honduras, on which station ' he had been employed two months, and had totally suppressed the rebellion of the negroes belonging to his Majesty's subjects in 'the river Balise. He had likewise had my particular orders to remonstrate, and to endeavour to induce them to restore to the Spaniards the effects saved from the Thetis register-ship; but by the inclosed papers, which I received from the magistrates at 'St. George's Quay, their Lordships will per'ceive that there is not the least probability of their doing that justice to his Catholic Majesty's subjects that they are entitled to. The Spaniards have been extremely ill

used throughout this whole affair; and so 'conscious are the inhabitants in general that 'their conduct deserves a most condign pu'nishment, that most of those concerned in saving the effects of the ship, after convert

ing them to their own use, are gone and going from the said quay; for, notwithstanding the determination of the com'mittee concerning the salvage, I am well 'assured that the effects saved from this ship, had they been justly restored, would not

only have most amply rewarded his Ma'jesty's subjects for their risk and danger, but a very large sum of money would have 'accrued to his Catholic Majesty's subjects, ' and have laid them under such an obligation as might have been highly advantageous to 'the trade of Great Britain. Sorry am I to 6 say that the selfish views of these men have, as much as in their power, sullied the repu'tation of their country; and unless his Ma'jesty's Ministers will consider of some proper mode, whereby his subjects residing at St. George's Quay and the bay of Honduras may be made amenable to justice, they will 'ever be the cause of contention between the 'Courts.

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From the strictest inquiry I can make, I cannot find they have any just cause to complain of the Spaniards, except in the

detention of deserted slaves, which I strongly

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' represented to the Governor of Jucatan,

who, in all transactions, has ever behaved 'with the utmost civility and justice to the · British subjects, and, as far as in his power, discouraged the desertion of the slaves. His answer to my letter on that subject I have 'the honour to inclose for their Lordships'

perusal, and flatter myself they will approve of the steps I took in endeavouring, 'all in my power, that the effects of the Spanish ship might be restored to the pro'prietors.'

TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ.

'Jamaica, March 12, 1774.

'I cannot help taking notice to their Lordships, from the many observations I have 'made since my command on this station, 'that however advantageous the three free

ports in this island may be thought, I am 'sure the allowing French vessels to resort to 'so many ports of this island has, in my opi'nion, been extremely detrimental to the 'public service. My reasons are as follow:

'Before the Act of Parliament passed for 'making Kingston, St. Lucie, and Savannah 'la Mer, free ports, this island had near one hundred sail of sloops belonging thereto, employed in carrying the manufactures of Great Britain to the Spanish main, and to 'the Spanish and French islands. Their re'turn was generally silver and mules from 'the Spaniards, and from the French cotton, indigo, and gold. The consequence of this commerce was, the employing a number of English seamen and vessels, by which means 'a great number of experienced pilots were obtained, capable of conducting any enter'prise that might be undertaken in this part 'of the world. It is with infinite concern

that I must now acquaint their Lordships 'that the commerce by British bottoms has

totally ceased, and not one single pilot can now be obtained in Jamaica capable of conducting any of his Majesty's ships to any 'part of the Spanish main, or to the Spanish ' and French islands, the few pilots that are ' now employed being the masters of the ships ' of war that have been employed on this 'station. Their Lordships will judge by this

'what difficulties a commanding officer here

' will have to struggle with, in case of a future

war, and with what facility the French will 'disturb the tranquillity of Jamaica, from 'their being perfectly acquainted with every 'creek and harbour thereof, and from the 'number of their seamen employed in these 'seas since the Free Port Act.

'The constant resort of French ships to the coast of this island, under the pretence ' of their being bound to one of the free ports, gives them an opportunity of smuggling an amazing quantity of the manufactures of France, to the detriment of Great Britain, particularly brandy, soaps, silks, wines, stockings, hats, &c. &c. &c., which is too 'much encouraged by the inhabitants on the 'coast, and particularly by the Jews, who

carry on a most pernicious commerce, and employ vessels which at St. Domingo are 'French, at Jamaica English; and notwithstanding, upon the application of the officers of his Majesty's revenue here, I had given orders to seize and deliver into the custody of the collector of his Majesty's 'customs such vessels as should be detected