Folio 277: Blaquiere to Rochford. Aiguillon said the original campaign to conquer...

Folio 277: Blaquiere to Rochford. Aiguillon said the original campaign to conquer Corsica had been folly but, now that the island was annexed to the king's dominions, he would not reject it. Capraia was ceded to Genoa. The comte d'Hérouville had made a dismal report on his inspection of coasts and ports. On one day an inspection showed one frigate out of 8 was fit for service. The same situation was found at Brest with ships of the line. The Parlement went to Versailles to remonstrate against the expected edict on taxes on supplies. The government ministers are busy with the establishing of the new Compagnie des Indes. Details are given. The Isle de France is to be reinforced, details here, and to become the depot for all possessions in that part of the world, where the English are thought to be unprovided for and so to have there her Achilles heel. D'Estaing may be sent as captain general. The controller general agrees to settle the Canada paper business on the terms of f.274.

Date and place: 1771 Dec 11 Paris.