London, 12 January
[Extract]
Indeed, Sir, nothing is more alarming than the factors which presently affect the foresight of the King's Council. Much can be feared from the rigorous measures of precaution taken by England in order to intercept all trade between Northern America and the rest of the world. To illustrate this point, I quote has just happened. Two Danish vessels have just been seized in the Channel on pretext that they were carrying ammunition to the Americans. They were taken to Dover; they were visited, insulted, but nothing was found. 2 Denmark requested that the English Captains be punished, but this cannot be done because Lord Suffolk made a ministerial declaration to the effect that this action had been taken on his orders. I don't even know what will result from this; the Danish Minister is waiting to see what his Court will reply in such circumstances. We must flatter ourselves that better attention will be given to the French and Spanish ships; but at the same time, we must not overlook the fact that the danger of a blazing rupture will always rest on the possibility that an English Captain will find a way to satisfy his cupidity under the protection of his instructions. Those that you have given me, Sir, are too important and I shall not neglect any means to conform to them with the scrupulous attention which, while revealing the coming dangers to the English Ministers, may show them how to forsee and prevent them.
1. AMAE, Correspondance Politique, Angleterre, vol. 514, 1308, LC Photocopy.
2. See journal of H.M. Sloop Speedwell, November 5-8 and 21, 1775, and December 9-11 and 22-23, 1775.