Confidential
My Lord

Before this Letter can reach Y^r Lordship, you will probably have received the Dispatch w^ch Lord Clermont was so good as to take charge of.

Count Destaing sets out for Toulon this Day or tomorrow. The Fleet which he is to command is to consist of Seventeen Sail. Ten or perhaps Twelve Ships of the Line, the Rest Frigates. The General opinion is that He is to conduct this Fleet to Brest where M La Motte Piquet has also orders to join him at his Return from the Açores.The Intention of this Court being to assemble the whole Naval Force of France in Her Ports on the Ocean, and to give Monsieur Destaing the General command of the whole which is to be divided into different Squadrons as occasions may arise, the Principal Fleet to be commanded by ct Destaing. This is the General opinion at present of those who think themselves well informed and it agrees in substance with the Intelligence I sent your Lordship some time ago. Icannot pretend to form anyJudgment as to the Degree of advantage France may draw from the Execution of this plan, but I know that it is considerd here as the most advantageous that can be followed and the most distresful to Us. I own how- ever that the open Manner in which the Destination of the Fleet from Toulon is talked of at present leads me to a suspicion that there is some Secret Design. I suspect this the more as it is difficult to see why Troops should be ordered to Toulon& the Neighbourhood as Y^r Lordship remembers they were some weeks ago, unless an Embarkation is intended. I have no Doubt that the Governors of Minorca and Gibraltar are fully on their Guard

I have this Instant learnt from very good authority that it was whispered yesterday at Versailles that Count Destaing is to go on a Secret Expedition to the East Indies. What I have said of the Intention of this Court to draw the whole Naval Force of France to the Ports on the Ocean must be understood with some allowance there will remain at Toulon five or six Men of War that are not yet fit for actual Service.

I am informed that the Seventh Inst a French Frigate I mean My Lord one of the Frigates in the French Navy sailed from Brest for Boston. I believe she carries copies of the Treaties and other Papers of Importance. Two americans who set out lately from hence for Nantz carried with them an order to all the Post Masters on the Road to expedite them with all possible Diligence.¹ The Expectation of war increases here Every Hour, and the General Petulance and Insolence increase with that Expectation. I am [&c.]