Folio 218: St. Paul to Weymouth. He reports `a great spirit of activity' in the French...

Folio 218: St. Paul to Weymouth. He reports `a great spirit of activity' in the French ports, in particular at Brest. He fears there may be a hostile plan but thinks that few ships could be ready until the end of August. He gives details of a reported loan to be raised in Holland by France through the house of Horneca. Aiguillon, after the sudden death of his daughter, the comtesse de Chabrillant, has been allowed to come to Paris but not to return to court, through the intervention of Maurepas with the king and in spite of the opposition of the queen. Maillebois has set out for Picardie to take up his command. Monsieur has the measles and returned to Versailles. Don Louis, brother of the king of Spain, is expected to marry mademoiselle Villavriga y Beaumont, `a private lady of fashion', at Madrid. He does not believe the reports that prince Ferdinand of Brunswick is to enter into the service of France. He mentions a treaty of alliance between France and the Swiss cantons. He encloses a recent military ordinance [missing here].

Date and place: 1776 June 26 Paris.