[Extract]
No. 166

The remarks made by Lord Stormont confirm what you wrote me, Sir, with respect to the hope entertained by the Government to end amicably and soon its quarrel with America. According to this Ambassador the division of the Congress is at its highest point, the Generals are at daggers drawn among themselves, and the people, dissatisfied, are only waiting for the signal to rebel against the usurped authority. All this is beautiful if is true. But this is not the first time that we have been given an illusive picture. I must be even that the Ministry does not count with certainty on these dispositions and on the possible success of the commissioners since they seem to wish to increase their means of force. Lord Stormont announced to me triumphantly that Ireland had consented to provide the King with 4 thousand men from its establishment. If we add to this reinforcement the Scotch regiments which Holland [sic] is apparently willing to loan, and a few levies now taking place in Germany, England will be able to have 36 thousand good troops in America by next spring. I no longer mention the Russians because it seems that this project has been abandoned at least for the moment, although there still exists a movement of negotiation the purpose of which is still not quite clear.

If forces as strong as those which England has apparently decided to gather in America do not meet with decisive success, the Ministry will have difficulty to survive. But this event is so contingent and far away in the future that it is not possible to plan any precautionary measures. Regardless of the outcome, the King observes with satisfaction that Lord Weymouth displays the same feelings as his predecessor in order to sustain the most perfect understanding with us. Since this attitude corresponds with the principles held by the King, the British Ministry may rest assured that it can expect the most complete and cordial reciprocity on our part. We have just given them new evidence of our feelings. Lord Stormont having complained that a few American ships had come to various European ports to trade for war ammunition, the King has just re-issued his orders forbidding the sale of such articles to American ships or any vessel which would be bound for Northern America.