My dear Lord — Sir Hugh Palliser came to me this morning by appointment that we might consider what steps are necessary to be taken in the present alarming situation. The accounts of the French armaments multiply so fast that I must tell your Lordship that every hour is precious, as the French are certainly greatly ahead in their preparations, and I dread the consequence of their being at sea before us. I enclose some fresh accounts I have just received from Lord Weymouth, as also one paper sent me by your Lordship's order, by which you will see that there can no longer be a doubt that everything is going on in the French ports with the utmost alacrity; if you will give Sir Hugh Palliser and me leave, we will wait on your Lordship presently to talk the matter over and to consider what is advisable to be done. If we have not our Cabinet meeting till Thursday, we shall lose four or five days, which as we have lost so much time already is a matter of great importance.

Your Lordship will find Sir Hugh Palliser's examination of a master of a ship which has been taken and carried into Bilbao, from whom it appears that several American privateers are actually arming in that port, as also that one of the Treasury victuallers of 16 guns has suffered herself to be surprised by a privateer of 8 guns and 60 men. I am [etc.]