I cannot find a french form to adress you at the head of my Letters which pleases so much to my heart as this English. Give me leave 52therefore to make use of it even when I write to you in French, which, you know, is more easy to me.

Le Comte de Welderen, et son Epouse, sont de retour ici. Ce qui, comme vous voyez, dément l'opinion, où étoient certaines gens, qu'il Se tiendroit à portée de S. J. Y.1 Il a un frere à Mastricht; et il s'est détourné pour le voir en passant, et probablement pour épargner à Madame le passage du Mordyk. La politique du public a cherché finesse dans son petit délai de paroître ici. Cela arrive plus souvent qu'on ne pense.

Je crois qu'il y a de l'exagération dans le nombre des vaisseaux pris par les Anglois. Je n'ai point entendu parlé des 10,000 qu'on doit envoyer en Zélande, où il y a déjà des garnisons, qu'on renforcera sans doute, mais non de 10,000 h. Si j'apprends quelque chose là-dessus, vous le saurez. En attendant, defiez-vous toujours de la politique de la Bourse, pour plusieurs raisons, comme je me défie de mon côté des bruits qu'on fait courir ici; par exemple, que la Maison H–2 d'Amsterdam auroit souscrit pour 2 millions St. dans le nouvel emprunt des Angl.

Je vous remercie, Monsieur, des nouvelles que vous avez la bonté de me communiquer, et j'en ferai usage.

Je reviens de diverses visites. Personne ne sait rien ici des 10,000 h. pour la Zélande.

Je suis avec beaucoup de respect & d'attachement Monsieur Votre très-humble & très-obéissant serviteur

I cannot find a french form to address you at the head of my Letters which pleases so much to my heart as this English. Give me leave therefore to make use of it even when I write to you in French, which, you know, is more easy to me.

Count Welderen and his wife have returned here. This, as you can see, contradicts the opinion of certain people that he is under the influence of Sir Joseph Yorke.1 He has a brother at Maastricht and took a detour to visit him and also, most likely, to spare his wife from the crossing at Moerdijk. The small delay in his arrival here is being overlooked by the public. This happens more often than you think.

I believe the number of ships taken by the English has been exaggerated. I have heard nothing spoken about the 10,000 to be sent to Zeeland, where there already are garrisons. They need to be reinforced, but not by 10,000 men. If I learn anything about it, I will let you know. Meantime, stay away 53from the politics of the Bourse, for several reasons, just as I ignore the rumors that circulate around here. For example, that the House of H–2 in Amsterdam would have underwritten 2 million Sterling for the new English loan.

I thank you, sir, for the news you were kind enough to send. I will make good use of it.

I have returned from several visits. No one here knows anything about the 10,000 men to be sent to Zeeland.

I am with much respect and attachment, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,