inted at;
besides, as I daily expected further instructions I would reserve
myself until their arrival. The apprehensions of the United States'
negociating has done us much damage, and the interview at New York
said to have been between a Commissioner of Congress and the two
brothers, however politic the step may have been in America, was made
use of to our prejudice in Europe, at this Court in particular, as it
has been for some time asserted by Lord Stormont and others, that a
negociation would take place, and as far as this is believed, so far
our cause has suffered and our friends been staggered in their
resolutions. My opinion is, that the House of Bourbon in every branch
will be our friends; it is their interest to humble Great Britain.

Yesterday it was roundly affirmed at Versailles, that a letter was
received in London from Philadelphia, in which it was said I had
written advising the Congress to negociate, for that I could obtain no
assistance from Europe. You can hardly conceive how dangerous even
such reports are, and how prejudicial every step that looks like
confirming them. The importance of America in every point of view,
appears more and more striking to all Europe, but particularly to
this kingdom.

Enclosed I send you the size of masts and spars with the price, which,
if it will answer, may be a certain article of remittance, as may
other naval stores, but I dare not contract with the marine, as I have
no powers, and am unacquainted with the rate at which they were
usually exported to England. A wide field is opening, since the
American commerce is to be free, and I have had applications from many
parts on the subject, though few are disposed to venture until the
close of this campaign, and if it is not decisive against us, our
wants will be supplied another season at as cheap a rate as ever, but
I trust never more on the old terms of long credit.

I am well nigh harrassed to death with applications of officers to go
out to America. Those I have engaged are I trust in general of the
best character; but that I should engage, or rather take from the
hands of some leading men here, some one or two among the rest not so
accomplished, cannot be surprising, and may, considering my situation,
be pardonable, but I have no suspicion of any such in my department,
of consequence. I have been offered troops from Germany on the
following general terms, viz.;--officers to recruit as for the service
of France, a