My dear Lord—I have received your letter and will consider the contents of it fully before Thursday. The question seems to be whether our information is clear and positive enough to justify or require an explanation with the Court of France. Our intelligencer has, in the course of this last year and a half, sent us many pieces of information which have proved true and some which have not turned out according to his report. He probably always spoke to the best of his knowledge, but in one or two instances he has been mistaken because he was misinformed. Many very important advices from him have since been confirmed to us in a very satisfactory manner from other quarters; however, I own I cannot help thinking him mistaken in some degree as to some of the particulars in the paper of secret intelligence which I sent to you.

When the French go the length of sending convoys to protect American ships, they must be ready for war and indifferent how soon it begins; as I rather think they would choose to defer it a few months longer, this report may have arisen from a promise of the French Court which they do not mean to keep, as they have more than once in the course of the last year deceived the Americans by false hopes.¹

I shall stay here tomorrow; and if your Lordship and Sir Hugh Palliser have any commands with me you will find me at this place, but as I have appointed Mr Jenkinson upon business I will not trouble your Lordship unless you have any commands for me. I am, my dear Lord [&c.],