[Extract]
Confidential

Beaumarchais Connexions with the Rebels begin now to be very generally suspected by all those who have any opportunities of secret Information. Since I wrote last to your Lordship I have had the following Intelligence which I think it My Duty to mention tho' I consider it as less authentic than what I have already sent you. The Intelligence is this: Beaumarchias has engaged to furnish the Rebels with two hundred Pieces of Cannon Sixty thousand Stand of arms, and a very large Quantity of ammunition, all which is now assembling at Havre de Grace and is to be shipped from thence for North America on board Vessels of different Nations. This My Intelligence expresly says, but I think it very doubtful, and am inclined to believe that it will be shipped on Board American and french Vessels only, and that the latter will clear out for the french West India Islands.

as I think it of importance to raise in M. de Vergennes a Suspicion and Mistrust of Deane I contrived this Morning to drop some obscure Hints of a Negotiation, begun by Lord Howe: I did it in such a Way as carried no appearance of Design and made such an Impression as I wished upon M de Vergennes who began with eagerness to ask me Questions to which I avoided giving a Direct answer.