Folio 164: Blaquiere to Rochford. He has spoken to Aiguillon about the dangers of...

Folio 164: Blaquiere to Rochford. He has spoken to Aiguillon about the dangers of any support for the pretender in a Polish venture. Aiguillon claimed that France had no such intention and would always expel the pretender, who was drunk all the time. Aiguillon wasconcerned that Britain wanted someone back as ambassador (Guines), whom he disliked and distrusted, who was a man of no capacity, an admirer of Choiseul and whose secretary was in the Bastille. Blaquiere said Britain had no wish to appear to presume to choose the ambassador but he had made a good impression in London. He outlines the case of the secretary. Under interrogation, he said he had bought shares on the ambassador's orders. When things turned out badly, the ambassador told him to go to Turin and stay there permanently on a pension from him. Sartine was instructed to confront them face to face. If nothing could be proved against Guines, he would return to England for a month or two. Spain was discussed. Aiguillon said that under Choiseul Spain's opinions were law. Spain's reproaches and warnings about Sandwich's operations in the navy continue. France desires peace and will not enter into unnecessary squabbles.

Date and place: 1771 Oct 20 Fontainebleau.