Very Secret

My Lord, It is with Pleasure that I can assure Your Lordship, that I have now pretty good Reason to beleive, that the Report I mentioned in a former Letter, of the small Fleet preparing at Brest, being designed for the West Indies, is void of all Foundation: My Informer is positive, that the Destination of this Fleet has been invariably the same, Vizt to the Isle de France, and Pondicherry; but adds, that it is now determined to send only One Ship of the Line & 2 Frigates, notwithstanding the News received here, of the Marratoes ² having attacked the French Comptoir ³ called Mahé, which it is thought has Strength sufficient to defend itself: The same Informer adds, that a Person of some consequence, whom M. de Sartine ⁴ Sent for to get Information with regard to the real State of the above-mentioned Comptoir, had a long conversation with him upon the present State of Canada, and the unexpected Success of the American Rebels there: He gave it as his Opinion that 'tho a hostile attempt to recover Canada, might be liable to great Objections, as it would necessarily draw on an expensive War; Yet, he saw no Reason, why France should not attempt to recover it by Treaty, making an offer to give us the most effectual Assistance to reduce the Rebels, in case that Cession was made; to this M. de Sartine answered in the most positive manner "Quil ne falloit pas penser à cela Et que la France etoil très decideé de ne se meler de rien.["]

I have, I think, good Reason to believe that M. de Sartine did hold this Language, But how far it was sincere, or how far he has the real Secret of this Court, I will not take upon myself to determine; I will however venture to repeat to Your Lordship, what I. have more than once said already; that the present Sentiments, of the present French Ministry, seem to me pacific; But then, My Lord, it is but too obvious, that this Ministry hangs entirely by M.de Maurepas ⁵ Life, which cannot be as strong a thread as I could wish it. His Successors might have a very different Plan of Policy; that of the Duke of Choiseul would be as decidedly hostile as possible.

I am sure Your Lordship will be beforehand with me in drawing the natural Inference from all this, and will think the State of this Country, a Strong additional Reason, for that Speedy, as well as vigorous Exertion of our Strength, which the present most unhappy Emergency demands. I am with great truth, and respect, My Lord, [&c.]

Lord Viscount Weymouth

[Endorsed] Paris 10 Janry 1776 Lord Stormont very secret R 21st by Express fm Dover.