And here, in order to obey your Honorable Mightinesses' command and to make some suggestions thereon introductory to the needful deliberation, the aforesaid Directors shall observe the order prescribed by said Resolution. Brazil hath no communication with those of England except that the Portuguese, when occasion presents, are accustomed to charter some of their ships. Therefore no injury can be done there by the English, and consequently 'twould be unnecessary to make any reflection on the abovementioned district in connection with them, unless the Directors anticipated another difficulty, which on this occasion cannot be omitted. It consists in this, that the Company is very apprehensive of the important deliberations in which the respective Provinces are now engaged and is therefore of opinion that it will not be convenient for their High Mightinesses, ;

who have their hands full of work at home, to take any order principally on the restoration of Brazil. Nevertheless, whilst, on the other hand, it appears very necessary, not only on account of the evident danger to which the conquest is exposed, but also in regard that some Provinces are disinclined to continue in the provisional superintendence to which hitherto they attended, therefore the aforesaid Directors are uncertain how to proceed in such case,

484 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

being under the necessity of asking, only that it may be considered and determined either one way or the other. And, accordingly, in case the settlement of the chief point is not probable, then that order at least be taken, whilst waiting for more favorable opportunity, provisionally to preserve and secure the coast, so that the stores which must be sent successively hence, may arrive in safety there. The Portuguese ships which come from Cape St. Augustine or other adjacent places to the Ileciffe and, whilst it is unprotected by any of our marine, capture the aforesaid vessels arriving with provisions and other supplies, efl'ectually blockade, both by Water and by land, that port, which necessarily must fall into the hands of the enemy, to his exceeding great joy and to the irreparable damage and dishonor of this country.