o
think this Court will grant us any considerable pecuniary assistance,
unless a happy change in the situation of our affairs should
precipitate a treaty, and lead them to extraordinary exertions, as
proofs of their amity. The support of their fleet at Cadiz, of forty
sail of the line, the sieges of Gibraltar and Mahon; their expensive
armaments at the Havana, and the preparations making for an expedition
from Europe to that quarter, which will sail next month, exhaust their
European and American revenue, and all the resources by which they
have hitherto obtained money.

The insurrections in Peru augment this expense, and the same spirit of
revolt, which seems to have extended to Mexico, will add to it. These
discontents have been occasioned by duties imposed since the
administration of M. Galvez, the present Minister of the Indies. The
project was proposed by Carrasco, Marquis de la Corona, to the Marquis
of Squillace then Minister, who was much inclined to adopt it, and
named the projector to visit Spanish America, in order to form on the
spot the plan of its execution. He declined the mission on various
pretexts, and another was appointed for this purpose, who died on his
passage. M. Galvez, the present Minister of the Indies, succeeded him,
and on his return to Spain made a report so agreeable to his Majesty,
that it procured him the important post he now occupies.

The novelty of these measures, joined to the vexations and impositions
occasioned, as is said, by the collectors of them, has created much
dissatisfaction in these countries. I have my information from some of
the principal natives of Mexico and Peru here, and also from a
foreigner, who obtained permission to visit Mexico, and who made the
voyage from motives of curiosity. Four thousand troops are to be
embarked at Cadiz for the expedition abovementioned, and it is said
will be escorted by four vessels of the line, who at the same time
convoy the register ships bound to the Havana and Vera Cruz. As this
convoy will sail about the same time that the expedition from Brest
will be ready for sea, it is probable they may form a junction. Ten
thousand troops are to be employed in the one last mentioned, and I am
told will sail escorted by twenty sail of the line. Part of which will
probably join the grand fleet at Cadiz, and the rest proceed to the
West Indies, where I have reason to think they will act in concert
with the Spaniards. A friend of mine is to e