Versailles, 8 December 1775
Sir,
I had the honor to receive the letter which your Excellency wrote me on the 5th of this month to inform me of the notice that had been given to him concerning the Captains of a few American ships which appeared recently in several European ports, who confessed that they intended to obtain arms and ammunition. In consequence, Your Excellency requested the King to dispatch to his ports the orders necessary to prevent the exportation of war ammunition of all kinds on British vessels and even on vessels of other nations bound for America.
I gave, Sir, a report of your request to His Majesty at his Council. He has commanded me to reply to you that he will never have anything more at heart than to give to the King of England the most convincing proof of his sincere and constant friendship, as well as his desire to maintain and perpetuate the fortunate harmony which exists between the two nations. To this purpose he will renew his orders to his ports to prevent the exportation of war ammunition to Northern America either on English ships or on ships of any other nation.
1. AMAE, Correspondance Politique, Angleterre, vol. 513, LC Photocopy.