[Extract]
No. 313
We received news from America a few days ago and it gave rise to different rumors, among others an action which took place at Bunker-Hill near Boston; but the latter is unfounded. I know it from Mylord [Frederick] North and mylord Weymouth who gave me the following details concerning the state of affairs in America.
Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, left the ship on which he had been forced to take refuge as I had the honor to inform you in the past. He gathered about 80 soldiers and led several successful expeditions. He dispersed the rebels numbering 300, took 26 guns from them and a large quantity of ammunition, and carried off a member of Congress. He has great hopes, provided he is supported, to bring about the separation of Virginia It is the opinion of the Ministry that the troops about to be sent there and those which have already been taken to Carolina will produce this desired effect in the southern provinces. Mylord North rests his expectations on the fact that the settlers, deprived of the tobacco trade and especially the cereal trade which is of considerable importance to them and which went down from 4 and a half shillings to one per bushel, far away further more from the theater of war and the troops of the Congress, composed in part of Scots faithful to the Government and negroes to whom freedom can always be promised, will have nothing better to do but give up the general cause in order to take care of their own.
I brought this Minister back to the subject of the Commissioners so as to find out if he still placed his faith more in peaceful methods than war. I no sooner mentioned the word Commissioners than his face lit up and he replied in his own terms: "Sir it is the only real solution. When negotiations will only take place, then everything will be over." However, he still counts on 70 warships of various sizes and 25 thousand men for the expedition to America. If the latter fails, Mylord North will topple and these means, if they materialize, might become deadly in the hands of another less peaceful Minister who might wish to become famous by compensating his country for his losses.
It seems certain that Admiral [Richard] Howe will be among the Commissioners. He is the most undertaking sea officer England has. He belongs to the Opposition, has constantly refused to be used in time of peace and has declared that he would never serve unless he really had something to do. Lord North has promised him the position of Lieutenant-General of the marines which became available after the death of Admiral [Charles] Saunders. But Lord Sandwich gave the position to Mr.[Hugh] Palliser without consulting Lord North because of the misunderstanding that reigns between this Minister and the Bedford party to which Lord Sandwich belongs. We believe, that, as a result, Admiral Howe will no longer want to go to America. From what I have explained, I would rather another one be chosen.
