[Extract]
Separate
No 70/

My Lord There was nothing very material, in my Yesterdays Conversation with M de Vergennes . . . . I then My Lord, went to a Subject of more importance, I mean the french Vessels, that are preparing for the use of the Rebels, that are to be Manned by french Sailors, and Commanded by American Captains. I told him, that it was the more Necessary for me to Repeat, what I had said, both to His Excellency, and M de Maurepas, upon this very unpleasant Subject, As I found, that the Number of those Vessels il]creased, and that Instead of four Ships, which my first Intelligence mentioned, there would be eight, or ten, I added My Lord, that I did not indeed know the Names of those Ships, nor the Ports of France, from which they were to Sail, but that I did know, there was such a design, and was certain, that there were several American Captains now at Paris, who expected the Command of those Ships, and were waiting here, till they could be got ready, I likewise Informed him My Lord, that according to my last Intelligence, those Ships are designed not only to cruize in our Seas, but to insult our Coast; (I have information which Says, one of the Projects is an Attack on Glasgow) I ended with Saying, that we had to be sure, little to apprehend from such Enterprizes, but I begged him to consider, what an Impression the mere Attempt must necessarily make, Ships built in France, for the use of the Rebels, manned with french Sailors, and commanded by American Captains, who sail from the Ports of France, to insult, and attempt to ravage, the Coast of Great Britain! I spoke to Him My Lord very Strongly, but in the politest, and most friendly Manner, and went all along upon this supposition, that After the Mutual Assurances, that had passed, and the public Proofs we meant to give, of our Pacific Intentions, every thing that had a Contrary Tendency, must be as disagreeable to this Court, as it could be to mine. He readily Assented to this, Said, that if there was any such Thing in Agitation, it Should be prevented, qu'on y mettroit ordre, and that no such Attempt ever Should be made, from the Ports of France, and that they never would suffer their Sailors to be so employed. In a Word My Lord, his Promises were as fair as I could Wish, but I do not expect the performance to be Compleat. I see but too plainly, that my best Endeavours, will not prevent these Secret Succours, but Still my Lord, I shall continue them, as they Shew that we are upon the Watch, and tend to retard, and Lessen, the Evil they cannot remove. . . .