London, 15 March 1776
[Extract]
The Duke of Grafton and Lord Cambden asserted both that they had reliable iilform~tion concerning the two Frenchmen 2 who, after being introduced to and received by General Washington, went afterwards to the Assembly of the Congress with recommendations from this same General; they said that it was easier to guess than ascertain the motive which brought them ~o America and if the Ministry disclosed the information it had with respect to our intentions it would appear that France and Spain planned to take advantage of th~ circumstances in order to wage war upon England; finally, they said that they had come to the conclusion with the other members of the Minority that it was necessary to achieve a reconciliation with the Americans. Lord Mansfield a°'d Lord Sandwich used the same arguments to prove how urgent it was to reduce and subjugate the Colonies, considering that, should a storm arise as it probably would in the course of things, England would need all her forces combined with those of her Colonies in order to weather it. 3 The Duke of Manchester and Lord Sandwich held opposite opinions as to the present condition of the English Navy, or rather as to the ease or difficulties encountered in the commissioning of ships because of the number of sailors. From this discussion, upon which I believe superfluous to report in greater detail, it resulted that the ship Ro.mney, destined forNewfoundland, does not have her crew yet because it would be quite unnecessary to give her her full complement now since she is not to leave for a few months yet.
1. AMAE, Correspondance Politique, Angleterre, vol. 515, LC Photocopy.
2. Penet & Pliame, Nantes.
3. In this and the succeeding paragraph, Garnier is reporting upon a debate in the House of Lords.