[English translation]

Nothing better, Monsieur le Vicomte, than the arrangement which you made for the condemned deserter in passing him on to France.

By means of the battery which you had repaired and the addition of pieces, your port finds itself safe from unforeseen insult. Things can stay in this condition until the minister has made known his intentions on the fortifications in planning.

If someone had said to me that you disarmed the Mome Cotton, I paid no attention, since I know what to believe. As to the powder, I was only able to authorize in the time that you would draw it from this post where it would decompose there by an unnecessary stay. In case of need there will be enough time and means to carry it. I request you to not betray yourself with confidence, in what can return to you and to do as I do on this point. Be very certain that I will never correspond of it only to what will come to me from you.

I thank you for what you informed me from Barbados where you may go when you wish and of which I will be very obliged to you to give me news upon your return.