I had the honor to receive, Sir, the letter you wrote me on the tenth of this month and the various documents which were enclosed; they are all very interesting and I beg you to receive the sincere expression of my gratitude.

The unexpected retirement of Lord Rochford is an event to which we are particularly sensitive since we knew his manner of thinking and since we could trust his disposition in maintaining harmony and understanding between our respective Courts. It seems, Sir, that you do not hold the same opinion about his successor: indeed, Lord Weymouth is not to be recommended for his peaceful intentions judging by his behavior during the affair of the Falkland Islands; ² he came very close to having this dispute degenerate into an open war, and, because his advice did not prevail, he resigned from the Ministry. Furthermore, whatever his principles and political views may be, it can be assumed, Sir, that the present circumstances will suspend his fighting ardor against France and Spain if at least they do not weaken it. When one considers the critical situation where England finds herself with respect to America, it is difficult to imagine that there would be a minister with so little sense that he would add a foreign war to the existing domestic problems. In the present state of affairs, it would increase by far the tendency on the part of the Americans to seek complete independence rather than a reconciliation with the mother-country. Regardless of the consequences which will sooner or later stem from this recent change in the British Ministry, the manner of thinking of the King [Louis XVI] remains unchanged: you are aware of it, Sir, and His Majesty expects from your wisdom that, while conforming to the spirit of His instructions which you received through me, you will use in their application all the modifications required by the difference of personalities. We feel that since you do not entertain with Lord Weymouth the same friendly and trustful relationship which existed between you and Lord Rochford, you must endeavor far more to learn his manner of thinking than to instill your own into him.

Whatever Lord Weymouth's disposition may be, our Newfoundland affair will hardly give you the opportunity for some time to determine his true way of thinking: his lack of instructions and the fact he will need them will make it very easy for him to evade the issue at first. In this respect, I cannot help but remind you, Sir, that, although we wish to bring this affair to an end once and for all, it is not the intention of the King, however, that you should handle it with such assiduity that the English Ministers might be led to believe that we are trying to make an issue out of it.

The debates of the House of Lords are very interesting. They bring much light on the real views of the government which, while speaking only of war and all the preparations to wage it, seems far more interested in peace and the means to make it, even at the cost of a few sacrifices. I would be obliged to you, Sir, if you continue to send us the reports of the debates. The expenses which you will incur shall be exactly reimbursed.

I conveyed to His Majesty the mark of appreciation on the part of the King of England who instructed you to do so, for the assistance given by Mr. de Robec to an English transport ship which ran aground near Dunkerque and to the Hanoverian troops she carried. His Majesty hereby instructs you to assure His British Majesty that he can expect at all times, on the part of the King, the same expression of friendship and agreement. On the order of the King, I wrote to M. de Robeck to express the satisfaction of the King and to authorize him to continue providing shipwrecked crews and troops with all the assistance they may expect or need.

I have the honor to be with perfect attachment, Sir [&c.]