[Extract]
Dear Sir

I have before me your esteemed favours of 9th & 16th Current, the Contents of which have noted & shall endeavour to answer the same, In the first place you desire to know how I remain here without exciting suspicion; I have made use of this finesse, which I think it not a bad one, when they ask me why I do not go out to America or follow some kind of business I tell them I am waiting for letters from America, when I shall be the more able' to determine what course to pursue; with this they are perfectly satisfy'd and you may rest assured I have a share of their Confidence, and not the least suspected by any Person on the American side whatever may be the Conjecture on the other; you also desire to know how the Dunkirk affair was received here I can assure you they were not prepared for the same, & they now say it was not the intended plan to have carried the Vessells into that Port, ー you may also depend that the Vessells will be given up if a formal demand is made for the same, which I make no doubt will be done by your Court . . .

John Atkins affair has been talked over very often but do not perceive that Deane had any hand in that affair, 'tis true John Called on him, but from what Deane say's, he laugh'd at the impossiability of it, he Deane not thinking the Same could have been executed, tho' at same time have heard him &Carmichael say he was a fine fellow &wished it had been executed. ー ²

Two 74 Gun Ships are gone out to desire the English Ships that are Cruzeing on the French Coast to depart Immediately, but was this day informed that 4 more had been added to the Number, with possitive Orders to protect all the American Vessels on their Coast, and Conduct them into port, this I had from Mr [James] Moylan, who had it from a Monsieur Poulze, one of the Farmer Generals ー this is the man that Moylan is settling the Tobacco affair with he tells me they are more determined than before, & have desired him to wait their pleasure; I immagine 'twill be some time in August next; ー if the plan is adopted, they mean to send out goods to the Amount of Two & twenty Million of livers, for which they mean to take Tobacco in return ー This Monsieur Poulze told Moylan that the putting tpe Crew of Conynghams Vessell into Prison was only a temporary affair, ahd no more than a Cloak for their other Actions & that they would be released in a very short time; but hope you'll put a stop to that; the French are very much against a War with England at present (indeed its their interest) and would Suffer almost anything sooner than break with you ー

Capt Hynson & a Captn Lundy a frenchman, (who speaks English) ³ sets off tomorrow for Marseillie, at which place two Vessells are preparing for them, the one Mounts 18-6 pounders & the other 16-6 pounders ー Hynson will have the Ship of the greater force, ー & I am told she will be the most Valuable Vessell that has gone from this Country since the Commencement of those disputes, he has 50 Men already engaged, but intends taking more; the greatest part frenchmen, if not all ー amongst the many Articles he will Carry out, is 12 brass Morters Compleat

[Letter incomplete]