Folio 234: Stormont to Weymouth. Making the most solemn asservations that can be...

Folio 234: Stormont to Weymouth. Making the most solemn asservations that can be used by man, Maurepas assured him that France was not increasing her arming. 3 ships had been refitted after storm damage and 1 commissioned to replace the Magnanime, disabled in a storm. Stormont knows that Sartine urged arming but Maurepas had said that Britain would only arm if France did and things should stay as they were, although he feared a change of ministry in Britain. Maurepas said he did not want the peace of Europe upset and was concerned at the probability of a Turkish war. France and Spain were agreed not to allow a Russian fleet into the Mediterranean. He confirmed Stormont's information about the conversations with Goltz. He said that many who wanted the rebels to succeed, including Aranda, now began to fear their too great prosperity. The Conseil supported Necker's decree against the Remonstrance but he may not hold his post for long.

Date and place: 1777 Dec 18 Paris.