I accordingly went on board, got my papers, put a couple of ounces of spanish gold into my pocket, & went on shore & directly to the office, on the Key; I found only the _Principall_ in the office--I told him, I commanded an American vessell was from Malaga, bound to Boston, and had put in there, to obtain a clearance, & a convoy thro the Gut--well ‘said he, as you say, you have a cargo on board, there are some serious questions to ask, previous to your obtaining a clearance.--I know, I know Sir, but do not be too perticular, give me a clearance, & at the same time, I laid on the counter before him, _two ounce peices of gold_--well’ but said he, if I give you a clearance you have another office to git signed at, well ‘said I, if you will give it, there will be more deficulty--& as I spoke a gentleman came into the office, to whom the first observed--this Captain was about going up to your office with his clearance, will you be so kind as to save him the trouble by signing it here, oh yes, said he cheerfully, accordinly, in a few minuits my clearance was compleated, the fees of both offices paid, & I was in the street, making a streight wake towards the American consuls--when I entered his office, he, with a long face said, I am glad to see you, but greatly regret your situation--I took my clearance from my pocket, & held it before his eyes--_Good God_ said he, how did you git that--said I--ask me no questions, & I will tell you no lies-- [Sidenote: Escapes from the Convoy] The Signal Gun was fired, at sun-rise, the next morn” for the convoy to weigh, & I was one of this first to move--for I was full of fear, that some incident might _yet_ subject me to the _fatal_ investigation, I was therefore desirous to git out of their reach; a large English merchant ship, showing a teir of guns, streched over for the Barbary coast, & I followed her, under easy sail; _our convoy_, a gun Brig, was not then under-way and in watching her motion, I discovered a boat after us, full of men, roughing,[4] & sailing--I immediately felt jelious, _they are after me_, I ordered sail immediately put on, & in a very short time, the boat _give up_ & put back for Gibranter--I then felt antious fearing the convoy might have orders to bring me back; but I heard nothing more, parted from the convoy off cape _Trafelgar_, & proceeded home. I have mention’d a boat that was after me--sometime after I arrived home, I fell in with a Cap^{t} Mills, whom I left in Malaga, in a Brig belonging to Boston, & persueing the plan I had done, he saild from Malaga the day after me, was taken into Gibrater the night before I left--seeing me underweigh, without reflection, he observed there is Cobb, why is he allowed to go--the boat was immediately dispatch’d after me--but, by my vigilence in making sail, in season, & being favoued with a good stiff breeze I was enable’d to keep clear of them.--