[Lisbon, Augt. 24. 97, W^m Smith.] Lisbon, August 24. 97 Dearest — I have the pleasure to inform you of my safe arrival here on the 20^th. after a passage of 27 days from the Capes. Near the Western Isles, we espied at day break on the 15^th three Ships of War, which were standing to the Westward; but as soon as they saw us they tacked about & chased; they hoisted English Colors, till they came near & then they changed them to French & fired a Gun. We lay to & were boarded by two officers from the Foncorde, Frigate of 44 Guns, having on board the Commodore Papini, I addressed the senior officer in French, invited them into the Cabin, informed them who I was & shewed them my passport from De la Lombe; they enquired for the Ship's papers which they examined very minutely; they then took memorandums, & returned to their C[itoye]ns; as they behaved with the utmost politeness, I requested [strikethrough: them] a Certificate from the Commodore of our Examination to prevent our being molested by Privateers; they were about some time & on their return presented me the Compliments of the Commodore & a Certificate, setting forth that they had Examined the Ship & denying all French subjects from Buspect we The senior officer then with an apparent bashfulness (which I little expected) said he was charged with a little Commission which was to request a small supply of Sugar having lost their Stock by a loss; we furnished them cheerfully with half our remaining Stock, happy to get off so well. They wished us a bon voyage & took their leave, having behaved with as much respectful politeness as I ever saw from French officers under the old regime. She has their vessels was the Hercules of 44 & the Bruges of 20. They told us that they were bound eleven days from a Vessel down bound to the W. Indies, but we suspect they are cruizing about the Western Isles. Last night we were waited on by a formal gentleman in a full Suit of black who came to make some enquiries about this Squadron which report had informed [us] was left by a [undecipherable] in sight of the Portuguese Squadron; W[illia]m offered him it was a mistake, as we saw no Portuguese Ships; perhaps said he asking pardon for the liberty, you were a Sleep when the Portug. Squadron came in sight; he however went away at length satisfied that they were in no danger: there is a Squadron of five Sail of the line of Portugal cruizing on the Coast, & this curious Gentleman is [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] of the Ships. The Passage was as pleasant & comfortable as being 27 days at Sea can be; I experienced every attention from my worthy companion, M^r Bulkeley & am at present at his father's, whose house is in a noble situation on the great [undecipherable], command[s] an extensive prospect of the Tagus — Shipping which are and scattered in the river, here seen, noble views: his premises a prodigious bustle of navigation, employing a vast number of boats, incessantly in motion — Before my eyes are the four Spanish Ships, taken by Ad. Jervis; they are waiting for men. That Admiral is still Blockading Cadiz. Yesterday an account arrived here that Admiral Skelton with a small force from Jervis' fleet had made an unsuccessful attack on Teneriffe — retired with loss; the Admiral had lost an arm in the engagement with the [undecipherable], which was not happy for him. I have made my bow to the Secretary of State M^r Pinto who knew the President in London; I am to be presented next week to the Prince & when that business is settled I shall retire to Cintra for a few weeks. I have taken the House occupied by my Predecessor, who has left a great [undecipherable] of his furniture in the — I find the weather cooler than I expected; this may however be owing to my staying mostly within doors & to the very cool Situation of M^r Bulkeley's house. Since my arrival, the weather has appeared much cooler than it was in Philad^a when I left it. This Govt. appears apprehensive of a war with Spain, & is raising troops for the defence of the Country; they are actually at war with France & have taken some French privateers; the French on their part have taken a great many of their rich Brazilmen & have done them an immense injury. There is an army in the environs of this City, paid, I am told, by Eng^d. There is another on the frontier paid by Portugal. I hope to hear from you soon; I was happy to see in an English paper an acc^t of [undecipherable]'s arrival in Holland. — I rely on your friendship for advancing with the President the object I suggested to you the morning I left Philad^a. as my wishes are fully known to you, I shall not trouble you with a repetition; I cannot omit this opportunity of expressing the pleasure I have had in your acquaintance & the gratitude I feel for your friendship which it will always be my anxious wish to cultivate — with respects to M^rs M^cHenry & assurance of regard for yourself I am D^r yours W^m Smith