[Extract]

Three corvettes are being commissioned for a foreign destination. I suppose that two of them will be used along the coast of Africa according to what Myd. Rochford told me. Order has just been given recently at Portsmouth to place the crew of a frigate being laid up on board a guard ship in order to help fit out the ship Romney destined for Newfoundland and according to the rumor there, the crews on the ships expected anyday from the Cape and that will be laid up upon their return will not be paid off. These events seem to indicate that they intend to bring out this year as last year a fleet of observation. I believe also, My lord, that the encouragements offered to hasten the return of the vessels now fishing in Newfoundland could have the object, among others, to secure a number of sailors in case it would be deemed necessary for the service of the Royal Navy. These measures seem to indicate the suspicion on the part of the Ministry that they may have to prepare for war towards the middle of the summer. It has already been affirmed to me that Myd. Sandwich, as he rendered account of the Spanish ship commissions, was of the opinion that England too, should prepare for war. Although this advice, which will always be held by Myd Sandwich, has not yet been adopted, I shall take the greatest care to watch more and more the movements of this country.