[Extract]
Secret No 78

I have already observed to Your Lordship, that there now prevails here a pretty general opinion, that the public Tranquillity will not continue long, and that this unhappy Business will bring on a War in which Great Brittain and France will soon find themselves involved²

It begins to be whispered, that a large body of Troops has rece'd orders to march to the Coast of Britany, others Say that the orders are only for the Troops to hold themselves in Readiness to March. As far as I have Yet been able to Trace this Report, it seems to me My Lord to take its Rise, from the orders given to the Six Battalions which are designed for the French West India Islands. The sending this Reinforcement seems to be a fixt Measure, and the Reason given for it is, That at a time when our Colonies are in a flame, and when there is so much reason to apprehend a War in South America, Every Principle of Prudence, and self Preservation, calls upon France to put Her Colonies in a proper posture of Defence. This may be the real Truth, but as Your Lordship sees better than I do, it may likewise be a Colour for the most Insidious, and Dangerous Designs. At the same time that I throw out this general, and very obvious Reflexion, I must add, that it rests wholly upon vague suspicion, and on that Caution and mistrust that naturally lead me to think of the worst that can happen, where so much is at Stake.