[Extract]
No. 4

As yet I have only been able to skim through, Milord, the extract of the debates of the House of Lords which you sent me. The King has read it in its entirety. I shall pay particular attention to the two speeches which you recommend. What I notice in general is that they expect the hostile intentions from us that they show toward us. However, one must be on his guard when one sees 41 ships of the line placed in commission and 45,000 sailors or marines voted. It is something admirable, and something to behold, this ease with which the nation, or rather its representatives, proceed to such frightening expenditures. We have apparently, more real resources than does England, but we must be certain that the action be as easy. That holds to an opinion which can not become established in an absolute monarchy as in a mixed monarchy.

It only remains to speak to you, Milord, of a conversation which I had yesterday with Lord Stormont, after having conveyed to me the news from America, about the happy hopes they have over it, and renewed the strongest assurances of friendship and good understanding. He remarked that they were convinced at Court that our armaments at Brest were destined for Martinique and for Santo Domingo, and that they were afraid that its purpose was to encourage the traffic in contraband which is going on there. Since I had no knowledge that the King might have yet fixed the destination of that squadron, I took refuge in my ignorance, and I remarked that its supposed sending might well also have as its purpose the restraining of this traffic, if it exists, rather than to encourage it. The ambassador answered that many ships leave these islands, hoist the French flag, and set out for America whence they carry munitions of war. I did not argue that it could not be, but at sea each one hoists the flag of his choice, and in order to know if they are French, one would have to stop them. Lord Stormont answeredthat if there had been any seizures, he did not know of them. I retorted that were an abuse so contrary to the intentions of the King to exist, in our islands, a naval force therefore would be sent there to prohibit it; the ambassador did not agree; he claimed that the vigilance of our commanders ought to be .enough. That is altogether impossible; their power can not extend. beyond the shore. Moreover, other considerations might require us to keep watch over our islands; they might take part in the general ferment. We have a vast commerce to protect; we can fear that the Americans might be tempted to use upon us the same depredations that they allow themselves against the English. Moreover, England is well in force in those parts for us not to have to be on guard there. . . .