The Spaniards, it is true, had, of late, admitted ſhips into their ports for the purpoſe of refitting; but, from the lateſt accounts received before I ſailed from England, this permiſſion was ſo reſtricted as to amount almoſt to a prohibition, in which it was continually expected to end. It became therefore an object of great importance to obtain ſuch a ſituation as our commerce required, independent of the Spaniards; as it would, in a great meaſure, leſſen their jealouſy, and, at the ſame time, accompliſh the ſanguine wiſhes of our merchants. Impelled by theſe views and intereſts, thoſe gentlemen made a propoſal to Government to carry out an Officer in one of their ſhips, in order to diſcover ſuch a ſituation, for a gratuity of 500l. ſterling. This propoſal was accordingly accepted, and Meſſrs. Enderby and Sons, merchants of great property as well as commercial character in London, and who poſſeſſed the largeſt concern in this branch of the Whale Fiſhery, were pleaſed to expreſs their
