[Extract]
No. 290
Once again I assured Myd Suffolk of the intentions of the King and his sense of Justice which would prevent His Majesty to ever encourage the disorders in America. I thought it was all the more necessary to insist on this point because I know for a fact that a British frigate seized a ship sent to Europe by the Americans and that among the papers they found a manifesto addressed to a European power requesting protection.
As I wrote to you in my last dispatch, Sir, I suspected that the King of England was no longer ill-disposed towards the King of Prussia and I decided to make some discreet inquiries on this matter. I gave this assignment to a person who has often served us well. He learned from a man associated with the Exchequer, also an intimate friend of Lord North, that the disagreement which came up between the Courts of Berlin and Petersburg determined the King of Prussia to turn to England. Good relations have been restored for several months. The King of England is greatly pleased by this turn of events and he sacrificed his personal feelings to the requirements of this occasion. I was led to believe that the King of Prussia has pledged his German states to His British Majesty and exerted his influence at the States General to the effect that the German subjects were forbidden to export powder and war ammunition . . .
I must not end this letter, Sir, without giving you a most favorable account of the trip which Mr. de la Moulière has just taken in Northern England. He has completely fulfilled the object of his mission which is most important to the Royal Navy where I have always heard that cannons made of iron are dangerous. The British Navy does not object to them: they are lighter than ours and they do not explode. These are recognized facts and cast-bronze cannon are no longer used on the lower deck of the largest ships. Mr. de la Moulière has acquired enough information to start manufacturing these cannon in France, undoubtedly to our greatest advantage.
News from the Ports
Plymouth.
Raisonable is in dry-dock since 1 July and repairs will last for the next eight months. This ship is not being put into commission and has been replaced by Nonsuch, 64 cannon.
Kent, 74 cannon, has been returned to the reserve and is almost entirely unrigged.
Foudroiant, [Foudroyant] 80 cannon, is fully rigged but has not yet been put into commission.
The frigate Orpheus which is being put into commission is fully rigged. Work is being urged on the frigate Solebay, but she will not be ready for another six weeks.
The order has been received to repair Ocean, however it cannot be carried out because no dry-dock is available.
The corvette Wolfe [Wolf] has just returned from Ireland.
The Cutter Folkton [Folkstone] which had sailed early last month for America was unable to proceed on her way and returned to this port.2
Portsmouth.
The frigate Pallas arrived from the Coast of Guinea and lately from Jamaica.
The corvette Carcass sailed for the Thames.
There are in Spithead three transport ships and two store ships. They are carrying 400 men of the corps of Artillery and war ammunition for Boston. They are waiting for a convoy. Also in Spithead are Phoenix and Roebuck. The former is destined for Halifax, the latter for Boston. 120 marines went on board the Roebuck on the 26th of this month.
In addition to these ships now at Spithead there are six reserve vessels and the Corvette Racehorse.
The two reserve ships Chatham and Renown are in port. The corvette Weazle [Weasel] and the schooner Magdelaine [Magdalen] are in dry-dock.
The frigate Acteon [Actaeon] ran aground on the Island of Wight.
The frigate Pearl is to be put into commission.
Chatham
The frigate Boreas, 28 cannon, is being put into commission.
Experiment is going to sail for the Downs.
Niger is taking powder and cannon on board.
Ramillies is in dry-dock.
The frigate Syren is being fitted hurriedly.
The frigate Liverpool has sailed for Boston.
