The King having learned by Your Lordship's letter of 19 June past of the news it communicates about the events and deployments of English Armed Forces and of its Insurgent Colonies in New England, according to information received from various vessels of that nation navigating along the [Mississippi] River there to its settlements: His Majesty has approved the precautions and provisions taken by Your Lordship to investigate the intentions and plans of both parties, by the present method to prevent any happening.

San Ildefonso, 6 October 1776