Separate & Secret
No 58
My Lord

It is now very generally, and certainly known, that M de la Fayette is gone to join the Rebel Army, and has taken with Him twelve french Officers, Nine of them, Actually in this service: Three have sent their Dismission. They embarked at Bordeaux on Board a french Vessel, which Mr de la Fayette has freighted, and for which He gives fifty thousand Livtes. As soon as His Intentions were known here, a Courier was dispatched, with Orders to stop Him, His Brother in Law, the Vicomte de Noailles, likewise dispatched a Courier at the desire of his Family, and pressing him in their Name, to abandon this wild Enterprize, but both these Couriers arrived a few hours After he had sailed, as Nothing further can be done in this Business now, I did not think it proper to enter upon the Subject with M de Vergennes. Another foreign Minister did Speak to him of it as the news of the Day, and to that foreign Minister M de Vergennes said, that for a Young Man of the first fashion, with every advantage of Fortune, and Situation, to engage in such an Adventure as this, was such unaccountable Folly, as there was no foreseeing, no guarding against. He then mentioned the Courier, that had been sent to stop M de la Fayette, and added, that a Batiment was gone to endeavour to come up with Him, and bring him back. It is very likely, continued M de Vergennes, that the English will meet with him by the Way, if they do, they wiU pretend not to know him, and treat Him rather roughly, which will be treating him, as his folly deserves. This Folly however, est montée dans la Tete de nos Jeunes Gens, to a degree that you cannot conceive. I have had numberless applications to me, My Answer to those who are absolutely free, is this, they may to be sure do as they please, but I tell them, that if they come to ask my advice, I give it strongly against their going, if they ask my Orders Je le defends. This My Lord is the Substance of what M de Vergennes said, as repeated to me, by my Friend. Itwould I think, be no difficult Matter to collect M de Vergenn[es'] real sentiments, and wishes, even from this Language, fair and guarded as He thinks it.

Mr de la Fayettes Relations seem to be much displeased with his Conduct, many of them certainly were not privy to this Design, His Friends and the Public at Large affect to Say, that to be sure this step is imprudent, and Irregular; and in that Light liable to Censure, but that it shews a Spirit of Enterprize, and Strong Enthusiasm in a good Cause. It is proper to inform your Lordship, that M de la Fayette goes under a feigned Name, He calls himself Gilbert Du Moutier Natif de Chavaniague Monsr de Lugny Mr Quade an Officer of some Reputation and that Baron Kalb whom I have frequently mentioned to your Lordship are three of the Officers that are gone with Him.

I am with the greatest Truth and Respect My Lord [&c.]

[Endorsed] Paris 2 April 1777 Lord Stormont (No 58) Septe & Secret R 6th by Express from Dover