Your Excellency

Always preoccupied with never causing a delay in the King's order, because of rumors of an impending war, I have given orders to all of my Ships to make an inventory of all the provisions that remain on board and to replenish themselves for three months. I have informed the intendant so that he can give orders for the provisions, and also the captains to have the necessary provisions for their messes, moreover to fill up the boatswains' inventories with the stores that they have used up while in the roads. By this timely precaution .we will all have three months' provisions. and will be ready to set sail the moment he wishes to give the order. If the cruise should be longer, it will be only a matter of a day or two to take on the additional supplies.

M. de la Motte Piquet will put into the roads tomorrow. I am awaiting the return of Messrs. Hector and de Basset at any moment. I am with respect, Your Excellency [&c.]

at Brest 28^th July 1777