[Extract]
No 19/

As Lord Stormont² intends soon to return to Paris, I shall fully discuss every point of business with His Lordship that relates to the Court where you reside and for that reason there is less occasion for my writing to you at present so particularly thereon as I otherwise should do, but I cannot defer mentioning to you the general Opinion entertained here that the American Rebels are constantly assisted by the french Nation as well from Europe as from their American Islands. I could not avoid taking notice of it last week to Count de Guines, and confirmed it to him afterwards in a note to which I received answer as you will see by the inclosed copy. It is probable that the Count de Vergennes may think it necessary to repeat to You the same assurances the french Ambassador here is persuaded he shall have Orders to give, but whether Monsr de Vergennes speaks to you or not upon that subject, it is highly proper you should tell him that Advice has been received from the Post Master at New York that upwards of thirty Tons of Gunpowder were arrived at Philadelphia sent thither by the french Governor of S. Domingo. If private Men for the sake of Profit had been engaged in such a business, it would not have caused the same sensation here but it must easily occur to Monsr de Vergennes that when a french Governor acts in that manner, it cannot but convey very different Ideas, and therefore The King makes full reliance that the Court of france without delay will cause the necessary Inquiries to be made about it, and renew such Orders as there is reason to expect in consequence of their repeated friendly Declarations.