Sir

The present Situation of England, and of her Fleet and Armies in America afford an Opportunity for making such a diversion, in favor, of the United States as cannot fail of weakening, & exhausting England, & will undoubtedly give the United States of America a superiority by Land, and effectually releive their Commerce by Sea, which effected they would soon be in a Condition to repay the Monies borrowed, or Sums for which they may become indebted in Europe, and establish effectually their Credit. The Strength of England at This Time by Land, & Sea in Europe, is well known to your Excellency by Land they have no Forces, either in England or Ireland of any consequence; & the moment an invasion is really Apprehended in either Kingdom, the Militia must be called out; and whilst they make their principal, & first dependance on their Fleet, they know too well at the same time, that such a Security is not To be relied on without a Force by Land of some sort or other, & they must apply to their Militia, for they can have no other, ー The moment they become so alarmed, as to call out the militia, all reinforcements to their Army in America must be stopp'd, an immense National expence, will be instantly occasioned, besides The Loss of the Time of their Labourers, & Manufactures This expence, with the alarm which occasioned it will sink the Stocks, & impede if not wholly prevent the Loan they are making, which will defeat at once their Operations for the coming Season

by preventing their Reinforcements, the United States, will instantly obtain a Superiority by Land in America ー Lord Howe would be instantly apprized of the Alarm given here, & must collect his Fleet, to one point, to secure not only themselves but the retreat of the Army, which is constantly obliged to the Fleet for its security & its Supplies; this would at once open the ports of the United States, & enable them to send their produce to Market of which they have large quantities in Store, sufficient if at Market, to supply their present demands ー This may be effected with very little, or no additional expence, to France. ー By embarking a few Thousand Men, on board the Fleet at Brest, & at other ports, & ordering them actually to sail, apparently, on an Expedition of importance, This would effect the Alarm wish'd for, with all its important Consequences, even if such Fleet, & Army, should after a few Days, return, to their former or a different position without actual hostilities ー but if before intelligence, could be sent to Lord Howe, Four or Five sail only of the Line, could be sent directly to New York his Lordship would be found there with not more, than Two or three Vessels of any Force, and with near Three hundred Sail, of unarmed Transports which must fall into the hands of these Four, or Five Shipps of the Line, & with the Number of Sailors, give such a blow to the English Marine, as would disenable them to continue the .War with the United States, or to wage a New one with any other Power ー but as this last proposition involves in it a War between the Two Nations I defer urging any thing on that Subject Untill We are favored with an Answer to the Memoire, We had the honor of presentingmeantime the movement which I have now the honor of proposing, can give no just grounds for Complaint, on the part of England and I humbly conceive, cannot fail of producing the Above Effects ー

I have the honor to remain with the most profound Respect Your excellency [&c.]