Folio 74. Newcastle to Lord Lonsdale, informing him that Col. Durand, an officer...

Folio 74. Newcastle to Lord Lonsdale, informing him that Col. Durand, an officer with a good reputation, of the Ist regiment of guards, is being sent there bearing a letter [See f.78] addressed to the mayor, on which Lonsdale is requested to add a recommendation for Durand. Advises that no troops can be spared at present for Carlisle but trusts that troops raised locally and preparations carried out for its defence will be enough to secure it at present from the rebels, who do not yet seem to be preparing to march farther south from Edinburgh. Gives details of the regiments to be moved north to defend Newcastle upon Tyne and Chester. Information had been received that a trade embargo had been laid on all ships at Dunkirk, but at present there seem few transport ships or men of war there, although there were reported to be a large number of ships at Brest and a few large privateers at St. Malo; however, these appeared as yet unprepared to sail. It seems unlikely that France will lose this opportunity to support the Pretender.