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The Viscount of Stormont2 spoke to me in general terms of the resolution adopted by His Government to stop the trade of the Colonies and to prevent contraband. The second item of this resolution is to conform to the conditions existing not only in the English Colonies, but all the other Colonies in America. Their trade is exclusive and does not let in foreigners. Thus, the intention...
Date: 8 February 1775
Volume: Volume 1
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...
Date: 16 February 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I have already told you, Sir, that we have good reason to be satisfied with Md. Rochford's explanations concerning the orders given to the British ships which are cruising on the coast of the English Colonies of America; we could wish for nothing more in this matter, except that these orders be precise enough so as to contain the greed of the captains to whom they are addressed: it is in the...
Date: 9 March 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I have received, Sir, your letter No. 261 which you took the trouble to send me on the tenth of this month.
The King saw with pleasure, Sir, the suppression of the clause concerning our fishing rights on the coast of Newfoundland which was inserted in the Bill restricting fishing for the inhabitants of New England. His Majesty approved the indirect means to which you resorted in order to obtain...
Date: 26 March 1775
Volume: Volume 1
It is true, Sir, as Mr. de Malzhan related, that the English visited at the mouth of the Texel a Dutch ship with a cargo for St. Eustatius, and that they burned all the papers that they found on board. Deliberations on this act of violence have taken place, but the decisions taken consequently are not yet known.
Date: 2 April 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I have told the King of the offers of zeal and good will that the sr [Achard] de Bonvouloir attached to the Cape regiment has made to you. His Majesty authorizes you to assure him of his gratitude and that he will properly reward the services he is disposed to render him. I have the honor to be [&c.]
Date: 7 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I have shown the King, Sir, the proposition you made of bringing about the return to America of M. [Achard] de Bonvouloir whose acquaintances in, and understanding of, that country are known to you. I do not doubt but what you are sure he is what he says he is, for I must warn you that there is nothing in the Navy Bureau which proves that this Frenchman has been attached in any capacity to the...
Date: 7 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I had the honor, Sir, to receive the letter which you wrote me on the 26th of this month, as well as all the enclosed documents.
I agree with you, Sir, that our merchant ships should not excuse themselves from answering the call of English warships, and it appears to me that if these have had to use force so as to oblige the former to comply with this rule, it was only after encountering...
Date: 29 May 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I have just received, Monsieur, the letter of yesterday which you have thought good to write to me, in order to inform me of your uneasiness about the person who presented himself to you as recommended by your friends, and who cannot now produce his credentials.2 The most favourable judgment one can pass upon the man in question is that he is one of those fortune-seekers who are...
Date: 1 June 1776
Volume: Volume 6
There can be no better way of showing to the King of England our desire to perpetuate the good intelligence which exists than that of presenting to him the actions of subordinates which might disturb it. The English cruisers take certain liberties which might determine commitments against the wishes and will of the two Courts. I believe that it was not in a manner of reproach that Lord Suffolk...
Date: 15 June 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Already some time ago, Sir, I told you that the English Ministers form conjectures about what we do from what they themselves would do if they were in our place, and they are convinced that any form of assistance received by the Americans comes from France. I shall not deny that some help may come from France. Our merchants like to make money as well as those of other nations; and I am sure that...
Date: 21 June 1776
Volume: Volume 6
It seems to me, Sir, that our political interest, as well as our commercial interest, requires that we treat favorably the Americans who frequent our ports; indeed, if they succeed in establishing the freedom of their trade, they will have already developed the habit of dealing with our merchants, and if they fail, we will have entertained with them, at least momentarily, atrade exchange which is...
Date: 10 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Its quite possible, Sir, that contraband leaves our ports for the Colonies. On our shore, it is only merchandise; at sea, we do not meddle with it unless it is under the protection of our flag and in destination to our possessions. However, I believe that the Dutch take better advantage of this opportunity than we do; they are more skillful than our merchants.
Date: 24 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
We have reports to the effect that Admiral Howe has at last joined his brother at Staten Island; but the same reports assure us that the General and the Admiral have made no move as yet against New York....
You will find enclosed, Sir, a copy of the statement made to the Admiralty of Bordeaux by Capt. du Brocq, arriving from Santo Domingo. From this document you will see what acts of violence...
Date: 14 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
... The importations from America will place in our ports the provisions and goods which England used to carry to the other nations of Europe. Re-exportation will offer to merchants a vast and fresh field for lucrative speculation, the success of which appears assured; and will go to diminish that kind of trade which formed one of the most important branches of the advantages which England reaped...
Date: 22 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
General Burgoyne, having made all his arrangements, should have embarked on the 2nd October with ten thousand men on Lake Champlain; Colonel [John] Johnson with a corps of light infantry and some Canadians is to enter the River Mohawk by Lake Ontario, in order to arrive in Albany at the same time as General Burgoyne, and take the rebels in the rear, unless a reconciliation prevents the danger...
Date: 13 November 1776
Volume: Volume 7
As yet I have only been able to skim through, Milord, the extract of the debates of the House of Lords which you sent me. The King has read it in its entirety. I shall pay particular attention to the two speeches which you recommend. What I notice in general is that they expect the hostile intentions from us that they show toward us. However, one must be on his guard when one sees 41 ships of the...
Date: 14 November 1776
Volume: Volume 7
. . . The Bill to authorize the [British] Admiralty to issue letters of marque to private ship owners who want to make raids on American ships has given us the same reaction as they have to you. The King and his counselors consider it as an act of desperation which will undoubtedly interfere with commerce of other nations and subject the general tranquility to the greatest dangers; I will explain...
Date: 14 December 1776
Volume: Volume 7
The King has strongly approved, Sir, the particulars which you discussed with the Earl of Suffolk regarding letters of marque; you have made that Minister feel and see the ill consequences resulting from such an extreme recourse; it seems that he perceived them by assuring you that our merchant ships would not be called upon for compliance. I most sincerely desire that the instructions to new...
Date: 1 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . It is very difficult, in view of the armaments which England is preparing with almost incredible ardor, to be at ease respecting her intentions, and to deduce therefrom an augury favorable to the duration of peace. We cannot conceal from ourselves that they have no direct connection with her war in America, and we are also aware that some of the Ministers are pressing for war. It does not...
Date: 8 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8