Monsieur
deux aides de camp qui [Son on cent ?] venir de vostre par mon proposer de faire sortit deux fregattes pour aller croiser devant nieuport chercher dintercepter ce qu’il peut entrer et sortir. permitter moy Monsieur de vous faire des observations qui ce presente au yeux d’un officier de la marine po. les ordres par écrit de mr. le comte d’estaing menjoignent de rester en éstation dans la riviere pour aitre à même de favoriser et proteger vos operations. vous aves vuë monsieur, que je nest pas oser hazarder daller joindre mon éscadre ce qu’il eut était mon premier désir dans la crainte que mon general desaprouvat que jeussent abondonner un poste qu’il mavais indicquer surtout ayant prie me faire passer de nouveaux ordres. malgrez cette consideration je serais preste a acquiescer à vos desirs cy après les reflexions que je vais maitres sous vos yeux vous persister à croir en la chose utille ou naicessaire en faisant sortir les deux fregattes il font pour qu’elles soit à même de garder les deux entrer de nieuport qu’elle moullient pendant la nuit vis av vis ces entrer sans quoi helle serais obliger de rester au Large pour la sureter de la navigation. en ce premier cas les petits batiments Sortiront ait se chasseron le Long de long La cotte Sans qu’on puissent lempercher. Cy helle reste à la voiles helle ce peu point observer cequil ce passes pendant la nuits pres de terre il ait vray en jour helle pourrais courir sur tous ce qui serais sortir. mes je dois vous observer que cy les anglais avec jétait du secours dans la place ce serais par le moyent des fregattes qui pourrais couper la comunications avec celle qui resterae dans la riviere dallieur jai lieue désperer que lescadre francaise joindrat cette nuit celle de lenemi comme il ait impossible de sortir cette nuit attendue le peu de vent la maree contraire jaurais le tem de recevoir de vos nouvelles que je vous prie de me donner par écrist quand à La fregatte que vous desirer. remonter de la riviere du moment que je saurais le lieue positive je donnerais des ordres pour qu’elle cy rendent je suis [&c.]
a Bord de Len gageante ce 10 au Soir
[Translation]
Sir,
Two aides-de-camp who have come from you propose that I have two frigates go out to cruise before Newport to try to intercept whatever may enter or leave. Permit me, Sir, to make some observations to you that present themselves to the eyes of a naval officer. The written orders of M. the Count d’Estaing enjoin me to remain on station in the river in order to both favor and protect your operations. You have seen, Sir, that I have not dared to hazard going to join my squadron, which has been my first desire, in the fear that my general would disapprove my abandoning a post that he had assigned me, especially having asked to send new orders to me. Despite this consideration, I would be ready to acquiesce to your wishes if, after the reflections that I am going to make to you, you persist in believing the thing useful or necessary. In having the two frigates go out, it is necessary for them to be in a position to guard the two entrances to Newport that they anchor during night across from these entrances; otherwise they would be obliged to remain in the offing for the security of the navigation. In the first case, the small vessels going out may be chased along the coast without their being able to be prevented. If they were to remain under sail, they would be in poor position to observe what happened during the night near the land. It may be true that during the day they could run down everything that may go out. But I should observe to you that if I needed help against the English at that place that would be by the means of the frigates, which could cut the communication with what remained in the river. Besides, I have reason to hope that the French squadron tonight will join that of the enemy. As it would be impossible to go out tonight given the little wind and contrary tide, I should have time to receive news from you, which I beg you to give me in writing. As to the frigate that you desire to go up the river, as soon as I know the exact place, I will give orders to send it there. I am [&c.]
The Chevalier de Preville
On board the Engageante this 10 in the evening