No. 53

My Lord On Monday Night I received the Honour of yr Lordships Letters Nos 26 and 27.

As it is natural that this Court, tho' they may not desire the Independency of America, should wish, that the Reduction of it may cost us dear, and must therefore be disposed, to connive at least, at any assistance the Rebels can draw from hence, I keep that object constantly in view, and collect the best secret Information I can, without betraying any suspicion, or Mistrust.

I am assured that there are several french adventurers, who attempt to supply the Rebels with arms and amunition. They clear out for Africa, and sometimes go to North America, sometimes to meet American Vessels at Sea.

I have heard it said that Monsieur de Chaumont, a Man of Rank and Fortune in this Country,² is secretly engaged in these Enterprizes, which are winked at here. Messrs. Gerner and Viars Merchts at Bourdeaux, have sent lately, two thousand eight hundred Barrels of Gunpowder to Martinico; In January last Gunpowder Sold there, for Six Livres a Pound.

I am told, that Gradiz a Jew Merchant at Bordeaux, sends under French Colours, Powder, Arms, &c. to North America and it is pretended, has got Permits from this Court.

The Result of the best enquiry I have been able to make whh regard to the American Gentleman, who called himself Nathan Rumsey is, as follows.-

He staid here but three or four days, had an interview with Monsieur de Mazieres, a Farmer General, to make an offer of supplying la Ferme [Farmers General] with Tobacco from America, but met with no Success, His offer was absolutely rejected. He had frequent interviews with a Banker here, called Grand³ but what Business he transacted, or attempted to transact there, I do not Know. He is now gone to Nantes, in company with a Monsr Penet, a Considerable German Merchant and his Cousin; from Nantes he goes to Bordeaux, and Marseilles, in order to establish a Correspondence with Some of the principal Merchants there, and it is Said, means to return to Paris in about a Month.

I have not discovered that Rumsey ever went to Versailles tho' this Penet with whom he is intimately connected has I am told several acquaintances there. Another informer tells me, that Rumsey had an American Companion, but this I doubt, as I know there was no such Person Lodged with him, I am assured that he arrived at Bordeaux on board a small Sloop of twenty five Tun, carrying ten Guns, and neatly painted white and Red, which waits there to carry him back to America.

There is a Physician here, called Barbeux du Bourg who is in regular Correspondence with Doctor Franklin, and who helps to circulate all those Reports to our Disadvantage, which are so greedily received by the Wishings, and Coffee house Politicians, of this Country, who are always loudest, when they talk of what they least understand

I am with great truth and Respect My Lord [&c.]