[Extract]

. . . the N England Provinces have sent on a secret Expedition, five frigates — 2, of 32 Guns, 2, of 28 &1 — of 22. with 12 other Hired Privaticrs for 28 days — Mounting from 12 to 18 Guns.² Some think Nfound Land, others Halifax or the Transports from England to be the Object. . . .

[Enclosure]

Intelligence from a very undoubted Authority.

. . .It may not be amiss to add here, that the trick Weeks put upon the Commandant du Port at L'orient, on a like summons to depart — was to Pump in His Ships Hold a great deal of Water, make report of a Leak, demand a delay &c — a Visit is made a Report cooked up, & the delay permitted, but this would not do with regard to his Prizes — He petitioned However that they should remain till he was in a Condition to Convoy them safe to America — this is refused; He then obtains so much delay as will allow him to go to the deputys, & apply to the higher powers — This takes at least 10 days — The request is Refused at Versailles, but the in­ tention of the Captor is answered — The Vessels are sold — place of delivery appointed — the Mony paid &c &c. . . .

There is at Havre a Kings Armed Coasting Ship of very great length, built after a design of the Chevr [Jacques] Boux — She has been lately purchased by Mess Du Chamont, Grand, Monthieu, Bernier, Beaumarchais of Paris; Lemosin & others at Havre, & is to be fitted as a Privateer, or occasional Merchant Ship, according to the Ships she meets on Her Passages to & from America & France — The deputys³ are to grant them one of their Blank Commissions from Congress. There are others at Nantz, Bourdeaux, Marseilles &c &c — which are intended to be ready against the Winter Months to follow the same Plan.

M. Sartine lately wrote a Circular Letter to the Chambers of Commerce in France, by order of Council, Contradicting a report that the New Govr of Martinique had Issued a proclamation advertizing the Inhabitants to be on their Guard, as the King had abandonned to Great Britain all Captures of Ships having Arms & Ammunition for the American Colonists — "The report, true or false may injure Commerce, & depress the rising Spirit of Trade with the Americans — But it is either not true, or misstated, being inconsistent with the Kings instructions to the Govr — And that the King Commanded Him, M. Sartine to declare expressly, that all Ships taken by the English contrary to the Treaties, should be reclaimed in the strongest terms, and that His Majesty was resolved at all hazards, to Protect the Property & Commerce of His Subjects.". . .