[Extract]

Already some time ago, Sir, I told you that the English Ministers form conjectures about what we do from what they themselves would do if they were in our place, and they are convinced that any form of assistance received by the Americans comes from France. I shall not deny that some help may come from France. Our merchants like to make money as well as those of other nations; and I am sure that the English merchants themselves do not fail to act likewise in spite of the much stricter prohibitions to which they must be subjected. Furthermore, there is no such thing as contraband on land, everything there is merchandise. Only at sea, and according to its destination, may a certain merchandise be called contraband. We do not protect those who carry it; we do not stand against the English if they seize them; we would not protect any French subject who would be caught in this illicit traffic, with the exception of course of their passage from France to our islands, or any port under the sovereignty of the King. I have made myself sufficiently clear with respect to all this in my last dispatch, Sir. Furthermore, if the English fear that the Americans obtain assistance from us by way of trade, our market is open to them as well as the others. Whoever can pay the most can be assured of the preference.

I have seen the resolution passed by Congress on the 6th of April last to open the ports of the thirteen united Colonies to the vessels and merchandise from all nations, with the exception of the English and tea. I do not believe that there will be many people interested in this venture: the risks outweigh any possible advantages since it is most probable that the English who have not yet recognized the independence of America would seize indiscriminately any vessel entering or leaving American ports on pretext of illicit trade. Something else seems to require more attention: it is the order issued by Congress to its ship-owners to chase indiscriminately all English vessels in all parts of the world. The desire to make captures more easily may attract Privateers in the European seas where the English are less on their guard and it will be rather embarassing to decide what to do if they want to send their prizes to our ports for security. With respect to all civilised nations, the Americans to this day are only in a state of open rebellion against their legitimate master. This does not keep them from finding shelter in our ports for themselves, their ships and their goods; we continue to consider them as English subjects and we let them enjoy all the rights attached to this quality; but in what light shall we look upon the prizes they will most certainly capture if these are claimed? Since it is most likely that this probable contingency has already been the object of reflections on the part of the English, you will please to inform me of any sensible or reasonable comments you may hear on this subject...

M. de St. Paul is worrying again; he sees fleets being armed in our ports as well as everything which his imagination, exalted by nature, may suggest to him. Nothing of the kind is taking place, we wish to be ready for any eventuality and our caution has no other purpose but that to assure our safety in all possible evnts.