Confidential
My Lord

I have received the following secret Information, with regard to the two french Ships, now fitting out at Marseilles, which are to be laden with Stores, and various other Articles, for the use of the Rebels. In order to prevent these ships being Stopt, or visited, by us, before they come upon the Coast of America, there are to be Naval officers on board, bearing the french Kings Commission, and in case they are hailed by us, they will Pass for french Ships of War. I cannot absolutely answer, for the truth of this Information, but am much inclined to give it Credit. How insidious this Project is, and how contrary to all Friendship, all Good Faith, It is needless to say. Whether we should wink at the Execution, and trust entirely to the Vigilance of our Cruizers, on the Coast of America, (which Vigilance, so many french Vessels have escaped,) or declare to the Court of £ranee, in very polite, but very explicit Terms, that we have reason to suspect such a Project, and cannot permit the Execution of it, be the Consequences what they may, His Majesty's Wisdom must alone determine. Hynson is still here, He has not yet got his Instructions, but expects them every Day. 'He thinks there is some Rub, or difficulty, but either does not know, or will not tell, where it lies. Beaumarchais, who has as much of the Secret Confidence, of the french Minister, as ever He had, is intrusted with the Conduct of this Project, sees Deane almost every Day, and is very frequent in his Visits, to Versailles. So is Carmichael, He has had it intimated to Him, that it is wished He should remain here, and He has accordingly given up, or at least postponed, his Intended Journey, to Sweden. I am with the greatest, Truth, and Respect, My Lord [&c.]

[Endorsed] Paris 28 May 1777 Lord Stormont (Confidential) R 1st June by Express from Dover