Folio 65: Richmond to Conway. Refers to the payment of the premium for the Canada...

Folio 65: Richmond to Conway. Refers to the payment of the premium for the Canada paper. France refuses to release the children detained in convents because of Britain's refusal to hand over d'Eon. It is difficult to obtain intelligence reports, because the Frenchgovernment spies on all foreign ministers. He asks for a briefing on Spain in order to keep in close touch with Rochford [see f.17]. Praslin is offended at remarks in a memorial by Rochford in Madrid, implying that Spain is under French influence through the family compact and in the matter of the Manila ransom. France has not interfered in Britain's treaties with Russia and Prussia, while Britain had opposed France's alliance with Sweden, and now with Spain. Richmond had said that Britain regarded the family compact as a hostile alliance. On the advice of Laborde [court banker] France is to borrow 55 million livres on life annuities at 10%. Encloses dispatch from Mann [missing here] about the pretender's death and a plan he has been given for paying the national debt [f.71].

Date and place: 1766 Jan 23 Paris.