Circular.
To all the Governors of the West India Islands.
Secret and Confidential

I think it proper to acquaint you that the Court of France intend to augment their Military Force in the West India Islands by the Addition of the Second Battalions of those Regiments, the first of which are already there; The strongest Assurances have been given that this Measure is purely defensive, and is taken with no other view than the Security of their own Possessions; and, to evince their Sincerity, they have appointed only Frigates to convoy the Embarkation.

The arrival therefore of these Troops, under such Circumstances, ought not to alarm the Islands under your Government, or to give Occasion for any extraordinary preparation for their¹ defence; but at the same time it is not fit we should rely so entirely upon the professions that have been made, as not to be upon our guard, and to take every necessary precaution against a surprize. you will therefore keep a watchful Eye upon what passes in both the French and Spanish Islands in your Neighbourhood, and if you perceive any Movement which carries a hostile appearance, you will give the earliest Notice of it to the Governors of His Majesty's other Islands, and the Commander of His Majesty's Ships upon your Station, whose Squadron will be immediately reinforced by the addition of several Ships of the Line should any Ships above the Rate of Frigates accompany or follow the French Forces into those Seas. I am &c^a.