Most Secret
No 51
My Lord

I am privately informed, that not many Days ago, two french Ships Sailed from Havre de Grace, having on board, a large number of field Pieces, which were sent from Dunkirk to Havre, and which are certainly designed for the use of the Rebels, tho' the Ships have cleared out for St Domingo. I cannot pretend to warrant this Intelligence, My Informer indeed, seems to have no doubt of the Truth of it, but I have sometimes found him deceived. I have very good Reason to believe, that a Company of Merchants, have lately built, an Armed Vessel at Brest, which is to be commanded by a Lieutenant in the french Navy, and is to be laden with Military Stores, for the use of the Rebels. She was Launched about 2 Months ago, but (s still in the Harbour of Brest. 1 am more and more persuaded My Lord, that nothing but the Vigilance, and activity of our Cruizers, can Stop these Succours, with which the french will continue to furnish the Rebels, tho' in direct violation, of the friendship they profess. If many of the Ships they send fall into our Hands, which must be the Case, if we are suffidently watchful, they will soon grow tired, of carrying on so losing a Trade, and Slacken in that Zeal, which is now so much quickened by the prospect of Gain.

Two American Vessels, have escaped our Cruizers, and are arrived in the Ports of France, one is come to Nantes from Boston, which she left on the 3d of february, the other arrived at Quiberon, the 11th of this Month, and it is said, came from Virginia in 27 Days, She brought over an express for Franklin, who since the Arrival of this Express, has propagated, the falsest, and most exagerated Accounts, of the Disaster of the Hessians, and the distressed State of our Army. These Accounts, falling in with the general wish of this Country, are greedily received, and raise such Hopes, and expectations, as would astonish any man, who does not know, the Levity, Ignorance, and Credulity of this Nation, and the facility with which they are deceived, whenever their Passions play. I have no doubt, that Genl Howe will soon open the Campain, in such a manner, as to blast all their Hopes. The few well wishers we have in this Country, are very desirous that we may make, the greatest possible Efforts this summer, and push the War with unrelenting severity; they think that we have carried Lenity, and Moderation, to the utmost Extent, that wisdom can Justify, and are persuaded, that it is high time now, to make the Americans feel the full weight of that war, in which their Rebellion has involved us, and themselves.

These My Lord, are the unanimous Sentiments, of our few well wishers here, who lie chiefly among the Military Men de la vieille Cour; I relate their Sentiments without presuming to give any opinion of my own. I do not I hope go beyond my Province when I say, that the Situation of Europe, in general, and that of this Country in particular, make me very anxious, that our success in America may not only be as compleat, but as speedy as possible. He must be a bold Man indeed, who will ensure the continuance of the Public tranquillity, beyond the present Year. I am the greatest Truth, and Respect, My Lord [&c.]

[Endorsed] Paris 19 March 1777 Lord Stormont (No 51) most secret R 23d by Express from Dover