London June 21st 1776
No 4.
In Cyphers
The Army of England in America consists of forty thousand Men and their fleet of one hundred Ships, of which but two are of seventy four Guns. Their Officers both by Sea and Land, and Engineers are good; they are well supplied with Artillery and Stores. Consider then, Sir, how diffucult it will be for the Americans to resist such forces, "if they are not assisted by France with Officers, Engineers and large Ships of War." You may send them out without the least risque. Ten French Ships of War dispatched secretly to the Cape or Martinico, and joined with the American Fleet might scour the American Coast, and destroy the whole English fleet, dispursed as it is at present, On which the land Army deprived of succour would be easily defeated. And by this shock the English Marine would be mortally wounded. Do you fear that this will kindle a War between the two Nations? But how will England be able to support a War without Fleets, without Colonies, without Seamen, and without resources? On the contrary, if you suffer America to fall again under the dominion of England, the latter will for ever be invincible.
Adieu
[Copy]
1. Henry Laurens Papers, Letters to Secret Committee, &c, 1776, SCHS. Again in this letter Lee used the cover name "Mary Johnstone" and addressed Beaumarchais as "Hortalez."
