[Extract]
Confidential/

. . . The Rebel Agents Have not relinquished the project of sending Arms & naval stores from Nantz, & whatever professions may be made us, they will always be secretly favored by France in every project of that kind — Our only security against the success of such undertakings is in the vigilance of our Cruizers, who cannot pay too much attention to the Coast of Brittany — The Rebels likewise expect that their ships from Marseilles will sail soon, but these cannot I think escape us if they are properly watched as they attempt to pass the Streights — The repeated intimation I have given to M: de Vergennes of this project, & the secret knowledge we have of the Captain's names are surely Circumstances sufficient to justify the Capture & authorize us to consider these as American Vessels to all, intents & purposes, to which consequently the French Flag can give no protection — A. Frenchman who lives at Bourdeaux, whose name is La Farque, & who is protected by the Marquis de Poyanne; has had twelve Congress commissions from Franklin, he has actually fitted out several Privateers & is fitting out more — Monsr Foucault a considerable Merchant at Leghorn has a share in this Enterprise & La Rochette a French Spy well known in London is likewise concerned in it. Those Ships are fitted out from Blay near Bourdeaux & from Quimper, Quimperley, Audierne, & Conquerneau — small Ports in Britanny; these small Ports are purposely chosen, the better to escape our Attention. I have the Honor to be With great Truth & Respect My Lord [&c.]