[Extract]

We were very surprised, Sir, by the assertion made by Myd Sandwich, concerning three French ships being loaded, according to him, at l'Orient for the English Colonies in America. Before advancing a statement of this nature, it would have been wiser on the part of this Minister to establish the facts so as not to expose himself to a denial or to the necessity of a withdrawal. Since it would undoubtedly not be fair to accuse him of carelessness, we must assume that he was very poorly informed by his spies, or that he has particular designs which we could not see through and which made him take the liberty to advance an assertion of this nature. Whatever the case, Sir, nothing is more untrue than this so-called loading mentioned by Myd Sandwich and you must express our opinion to Myd Rochford. My letter No 127 will tell you which terms to use when you approach this Minister on this matter. It seems all the more necessary to convey its contents to him because of the false interpretation he gave the parliament, following the well-concerted interpellation of Lord Lyttelton. I rely upon your punctuality, Sir, to forward to us Md. Rochford's reply with reference to the false assertion advanced by Myd Sandwich as well as our determination concerning the communication of our ships with the British Colonies.