Martinique
No. 171

Mylord, I have the honor to send you a few items concerning the present situation in New England; the defeat on lake Champlain was somewhat softened by the fact that, as various letters from this country indicate, the Americans had gained a few advantages on land, recapturing a few posts and ground which they had previously lost to the Royalists. I also enclose the extracts from three letters which I received from St. Eustatius and which confirm this news in part.²

Mylord, vessels and privateers arrive here frequently from New England. I know that they come in order to buy from the merchants of St. Pierre powder at high prices, which is not harming the French trade in any way. Three hundred thousand pounds were received here from France and I heard that the Governor of Dominique had had thirty thousand pounds removed from the trade. I am with respect, Mylord [&c.]

Fort Royal, 22. November 1776