[Extract]

Mylord Rochford talked to the Ambassador of Spain of a coming impressment. As a matter of fact, since the reserve ships have crews only for their boats, an impressment seems to be the only way to send to the American Coast the frigates and other ships which are to intercept the trade of the Americans. Meanwhile it will provoke unfortunate circumstances on the English Coast where an impressment is always considered as a tyranny, unless it is based on patriotic reasons which would substitute a national enthusiasm for the real interests of trade.

A ship, arrived a few days ago, has seen along the New England coast the ships carrying the reinforcements for General Gage. The rebels made several proposals which were called inadmissible by the Government, to wit: the recall of the troops, the annulment as soon as possible of the four acts relating to America, the renunciation by the Parliament of all rights to tax the Colonies. The Government would be willing to enter into this last engagement; but to annul the Acts and leave to the Americans the freedom of trade, which is what they really want, this would mean losing America, even more, it would mean losing England whose population would leave everyday for America in larger number. The Minister hopes that these proposals are a step towards more acceptable ones. He is convinced that the Americans will give up. As for me, I cannot believe it. Encouraged and enlightened by most eminent leaders, they are sure of their success if only by temporizing.

P.S.

Ships in commission for Boston

The frigate Milford is not in any condition to sail.

The frigate Liverpoole replaces the frigate Solebay which will be under repairs for more than four months.

The corvette Wolf sailed for Ireland.

The corvette Raven sailed for Boston with dispatches for Admiral Graves.

The frigate Enterprise came into Portsmouth from the Dunes.

The cutter Meredith arrived from Gibraltar.

The ships Chatham and Deal-Castle came into Spithead from Antigua. They are finished with their cruise.

The carpenters have not returned to the ship-yards, and nothing has been decided about them.