L30/14/306/64b

From Mr French, Copthall Court, Throgmorton Street to ?? See also L30/14/306/64a. [Extract]:

10 Jan 1783

From: 1783 To: 1783

Nothing material since last time. Still thinks Peace soon provided, British in earnest, the French doubtful of this. Mr. French satisfied at British sincerity. Conveys piece of news from Paris expected to retard negotiations: Captain Roche, Commander of `Serapis' (French vessel burnt by accident at Madagascar) is safely returned to Versailles from India. A few days before reaching the Cape of Good Hope he was chased for seven hours or more by a French 74 gun ship under English colours (later identified as the `Illustre'). Ship so close at one point that Roche ordered dispatches to be thrown overboard, about two hours later on board the French Pacquet, Roche met a French Frigate bound for France on which he embarked. Heard since that the Pacquet taken by a Liverpool privateer and reportedly bringing great news for France. By letters of 6th Inst. received from Paris today Mr. French informed that Roche only brought an account of the two actions between Sir Edward Hughes and de Saffrein; in both Sir Edward came off worst. Also, the French had landed troops at Pondicherry and joined with Hyder Ally[Haider Ali]; great hopes of defeating Sir G. Coote and taking Madras especially as seven sail of Line had sailed from the Isle of France and Cape of Good Hope to join de Saffrein on Commanded Coast. Minister of the French Marine supposed to have given credit to Report and consequently altered proposed terms for peace. More news expected from Paris soon regarding India and present negotiation.

item

French,
Roche,
Hughes, Edward,
Ally, Hyder,
Coote, G.,
Saffrein

France, naval ships, Madagascar, India, HMS Serapis