[Extract]

No 7

I was informed Yesterday that Orders were sent to arm a considerable Fleet in the French Ports, and I have every reason to give Credit to this Intelligence.

... M. D'aranda
² is said to have strongly represented the Necessity of this Courts remaining no longer in a state of Inaction, But of her making immediate Dispositions for the safety of her West India Islands; that If our American War ended successfully, our Strength and Power would be too much increased, & if on the Contrary we should not be able to reduce the Rebels to Obedience, that we shall probably then be tempted to fall upon some of their Colonies to repair Our Disgrace; And at all Events, that this Court should lose no time in putting her Islands in a state of Defence and Security, by immediately sending considerable Forces into that part of the World. This is the result of the different Informations which I have obtained. In consequence a Naval Armament is said to have been immediately ordered; and yesterday Evening in a Family whose Relations serve chiefly in the Navy, it was w[h]ispered that Orders had been certainly sent to Toulon & to Brest to arm 20. Ships, of which several of the [line] and the rest Frigates. No other Particulars were known, But You[r] Lordship may be persuaded, that I sha[ll] not rest, 'till I have sent you the detail of this Fleet. I have not be[en] able to learn that orders have been sent to any of their Troops to be in readyness. This morning I have been again assured that the Orders to prepare the Fleet were s[ent] and this comes from a quarter from which I have generally received very good Information, & it agreed in number with the account of Yesterday: this last Informer added, that his Opinion was, that this Court had been engaged by Spain to take this Step, pour Se mettre aL'abri de tout Evenement.

I must now mention, My Lord, I have good grounds to believ.e that for some Months past, there have been French Agents in England, Endeavouring to procure Sums of Money for the Rebels in America, from their Friends in England in order to convey them in French Ships to the French Islands, & from thence to the Congress. M. de Beaumarchais is I understand concernd in this Business, but he is not alone, within these 18. months h~ has made .S voyages to London & in the Space of 3 weeks he went twice. I have employed some Persons here, to follow up this Object & to let me know all the particulars they can learn.about it.

I understand that ~ome time ago Several reforrned French Officers, tho' none of any Note went to Holland, and embarked from thence forAmerica, where they have tak~n service in the Rebel Army .. I. know it partly from the French Officers, who frequently apply to me to obtain Servire in the Kings Troops there, many of whom assure me they .are certain of obtaining the Consent of this Court. . . .

[Endorsed] Paris 1st May 1776 Mr St Paul (No 7) /Rd 6th by Express from Dover