head. It will be sufficient that His Majesty should see the extent to which my respect and my obedience have guided me.
I have nothing more to lay before Your Excellency, whom God preserve. Rio de Janeiro, 18th August 1776.
To H.E, Senhor Martinho de Mello e Castro.
[From the Archives of the Conselho Ultramarino.]
No. 20.
Extract from a Letter from the Marquis do Lavradio to the Marquis de Pombal.
Your Excellency,—……
The Spaniards who, as regards Rio Grande, are reported to be quiet, the Governor of the Colony continues to inform me are, in those parts, more in evidence, not only as regards their squabbling and their arrogant and defiant language, but because they have got ready the three frigates and the ship of the line which they have in the port, are sending more troops to Montevideo, are working with great activity upon the barracks for fresh troops, and are, at the same time, adding to the works of defence of their ports.
In spite of this the Governor, as he had received
