No 92 Confidential
My Lord

I have got some secret Information, which, though it is not as particular and circumstantial as I could wish, may deserve some Attention.

There are two French Ships fitting out either at Marseilles or Toulon, I believe at Marseilles. They are to be purchased or at least freighted by Mr Deane ー are to be laden with different Sorts of Goods for the Use of the Rebels, are to mount, one 18 Guns the other only 12 or 14, though she will be pierced for twenty. The largest of the two Vessels will be about 400 Tons, the other about 340. They will be manned with French Sailors, carry French Colours, and clear out for some of the West India Islands, but thei~ real Destination, is New England, with a Liberty however to make any Safe Port in North America. They will carry double Commissions, an ostensible, and a secret one; that is, My Lord, there will be on board each Ship a French Captain, and one with a Commission from the Congress. [Joseph] Hynson is, I know, to be one of these Captains, and is to have the Direction of the Expedition, the other will, I believe, be a Frenchman by Birth, but in the Service of the Congress, and bearing their Commission. 2 There will be twelve Brass Mortars put on board Hynson's Vessel, which is the largest of the two. He is to receive his Instructions from Deane to morrow, and will set out immediately for Marseilles: but as the Ships have not yet begun to take in their Lading, it will be some Weeks before they can be ready to put to Sea, so that there will be Time enough to send Orders to the Commander of our Fleet in the Mediterranean to stop them as they pass the Streights, if that Measure should be thought adviseable. Hynson may perhaps endeavour to disguise himself, but he has such strong Marks of an English Tar, that he must easily be discovered. That Discovery once made, would lead to every other, and unravel the whole Iniquitous Project, as he, if once taken, may, I think, be easily induced or compelled to tell all he knows.

It is clearly my Duty to do every Thing I can, to discover these insidious Projects, and give Your Lordship the best Information in my Power with Regard to them ー the Use to be made of these Discoveries, His Majesty's Wisdom will determine.

I am with the greatest Truth and Respect My Lord [&c.]

The Mercury is certainly got safe to North America, but I know M. de Sartines has said within these few Days, that there is no certain Account of the arrival of the Amphitrite. S

[Endorsed] Copy sent to Lord Sandwich.