Most Confidential

M. de Maurepas assured a friend of mine last Night upon his Word of Honor that France had made No Treaty with the Rebels and that no such Measure was in Contemplation. This solemn assurance joined to all that M de Maurepas & M. de Vergennes said to me seems to destroy the Credibility of the Report & inclines me to believe that France will, in the present Moment at least till the final Event of the campaign in America is known, (which Event some of the Ministers have I am told declared she ought to wait for) confine herself to that plan of insidious Policy which she has so long pursued, take no open Part in favour of the Rebels, but give them every secret support. There is too much Reason to believe that Many french ships laden with Everything the Rebels stand in need of are preparing to sail for North America, & that the Project of sending these ships in Fleets under Convoy of the american Privateers that are in the French Ports and of those Ships of War built in france for the use of the Rebels that will have french and american captains, is by no means laid aside tho in consequence of the Intelligence we had got the place of Rendezvous is changed They no longer mean to rendezvous at Bilboa but in or near some port of France, What Port I do not yet know

There certainly never was a time when it imported us more that our Cruizers should be active and Vigilant and particularly attentive to all that passes on the Coast of France

Your Lordship may remember that M. de Vergennes in one of our Conversations on the subject said that this Project of sending ships in fleets was not only unjustifiable, but Tres mal adroit as by that Means they would more easily fall into our Hands. I hope My Lord that his Prediction will be accomplished. such captures must certainly appear justifiable to every Reasonable and impartial Man whatever Lettres de Mer the ships may carry whatever colours they may hoist occasionally the being under Convoy of american Privateers would alone make them legal Prize. If such succours should reach america it is but too plain that they would be a great & effectual support to the Rebels. I am [&c.]