[Extract]
Sir, I had a conference yesterday with Lord Weymouth on the important matter which you entrusted to my care in your despatch of 31 December last. I depicted to this Minister all the dangers presented by the last bill and I made use of the remarks which you sent me concerning the possibilities that might disrupt the harmony which subsisted between this court and ours; they produced all the effect that could be expected. Lord Weymouth conceded that it would be necessary to give all the Captains of the English ships particular instructions with all the details and precisions required to keep them from abusing the terms of the Bill; he confessed to me that this would be absolutely essential in order to provide means of punishment against those who would commit infractions. He will talk about it with Lord Sandwich and the other Ministers of His British Majesty before next Thursday, and he asked me to assure you that all the necessary precautions would be taken so that order and equity be respected or at least to insure that on no account repairs, compensations or other acts of justice required in such circumstances shall be dispensed with. I will speak on this same subject to Lord Sandwich with whom I am intimately acquainted and I would not be surprised if I obtained even a copy of the particular instructions given to the Captains destined to cruise along the American coast.
a few days ago, I had a very interesting talk with a merchant who left Quebec on the 28th of October who has a business there as well as another one in Philadelphia where he spent part of last year and witnessed the beginnings of the disorders and their progress; he was more interested and in a better position than anyone to ponder their consequences...
This same merchant who, on his way from Philadelphia to Quebec, saw all the military forces of the Americans and is personally acquainted with their commanders has views which are quite different from those to which the supporters of the Government try to give credit here. Their army is well paid, well clothed, well armed and full of good will and zeal. All the country people have become more soldiers at heart than farmers; thus, this army is countless and led by officers several of whom are German and well experienced. They even have good engineers; this merchant saw them fortify Ticonderoga, Crown Point and a fort on the river of Philadelphia, 20 miles below the city, which opposes the approach of even the largest ships as it is so strongly built. Finally, the Americans have foundries; they manufacture salt petre and powder; paper money is circulated with great confidence; even the merchants are determined to limit their trade to the local resources and to secure real and eternal advantages through this temporary inconvenience....
The Landgrave of Hesse has agreed to furnish troops to the English Commissioners on the 1st of April only; it will take these troops a month to march to Stade where they will embark; the month of July will almost be over before they are taken to America and ready for action.
