He recollected that Spain, during the late war, had been
opposed to the entrance of a Russian fleet into the Mediterranean, and
concluded, if England was not the object of this armament, Russia
might be. It is known that that power means to send a fleet of about
twenty-four ships into the Mediterranean this summer. He sent to the
Count de Montmorin, and expressed his apprehensions. The Count de
Montmorin declared, that the object of Spain in that armament was
totally different; that he was not sure she would succeed; but that
France and Spain were to be considered as one, and that the former would
become guarantee for the latter, that she would make no opposition to
the Russian fleet. If neither England nor Russia be the object, the
question recurs, Who is it for? You know best, if our affairs with Spain
are in a situation to give jealousy to either of us. I think it very
possible, that the satisfaction of the court of London may have been
pretended or premature. It is possible also, that the affairs of Spain
in South America may require them to assume a threatening appearance.
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