Monseigneur

I have this morning seen M. de Gribauval,² who, interesting himself much in the fate of our friends in America, into whose secrets he has been initiated by the Count de St Germain, is very uneasy on their account because of the advance of the English by way of Canada. He fears lest they may be forced to bend beneath the yoke of the Mother Country if they are not promptly and efficiently succoured. Consequently, having meditated thereon, he thinks it would be very possible to transmit to them what they need the most urgently in order to make a stand against their enemies; and he is persuaded that I would experience little or no difficulty therein on the part of the Minister for War provided I found some source elsewhere to furnish the expenses of transport. There are in the Royal arsenals more than 300 or 400 pieces of cannon of No. 4 calibre, (the most necessary in their position) not at present in use for the service of the State, which could be sold to Spain to be forwarded to Ravanna, and which any merchants would purchase at Ravanna for the neighbouring Continent. It would only be a question of filing off the fleurs de lys or double L's. They would soon be replaced by new castings, and the merchants would send over for their discharge as soon as possible a sufficient, or more than sufficient, amount of produce of the new Continent, as for instance 4 or 5 millions of tobacco the sale of which is assured beforehand by my arrangements with the Farmers General. He wished then that I would make the application for them at once to the Count de St. Germain, not being able for his part to undertake more than to support it well. Not having the honour to be known to that gentleman I have no hope but in your goodness, Monseigneur, ー if you would condescend to inform him of it in order that I might gain admission to present to him my humble petition upon this subject, we could find means to smooth away all difficulties; we should not want for officers for the service of this artillery; M. de Gribauval, already authorized to grant leave for this service, would choose them himself; and I do not believe M. Penet so destitute of means as not to furnish with ease all the unforeseen expenses. I shall write to him tomorrow. I have the honour to be with the most profound respect Monseigneur [&c.]