[Docket: 16 June 1796 To the Pres[ident]] The President of the United S[tates] [undecipherable] 16 June 1796 Sir. The inclosed letter has been procured by D^r. Williamson who knows the hand writing. It is written by a Ind. Col^o Montflorence, a french man who held a commission under the State of North Carolina early in the revolution wa[r.] The Little Governor Blount by the same person I understand is gone to Tenepeas It would seem that Montflorence had his information at Paris. The reflexions which he makes upon it however appear to be his own. It may be well enough to have the hand writing compared with any letters that may be in the Sec^y of States office from Monroe notwithstanding its supposed resemblance to Montflorence. The Sec^y can return it to me. My fever is increasing. With great respect I have the honour to be be your ob[edient] [servant] James McHenry [Enclosure] [address panel:] To His H[ono]^r Col^o Thomas Blount Delegate of N[orth] Carolina In Congress Bordeaux 8^th March 96 Sir This Government is much displeased with M^r. Jay's treaty, and it is confidentially reported that M^r. Adet is accredited, that Col^o. Vincent who was employed Partizan by the [undecipherable] for the fortification of New York is to replace him — he is to send with the fleet [bound] to the West Indies — that he is to demand permitting only a new treaty between the United States & France, or a Rejection of the Treaty with England, that he is not to Negotiate, but to give only fifteen Days for an explicit Answer, and in a Refusal from our Government to repair immediately Philadelphia & repair to the Islands, from whence it is supposed that hostilities will immediately be directed against us. I think it my duty to give you More important and alarming [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as you may think proper for the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Country [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I candidly believe that [undecipherable] against the present Sentiments of [undecipherable] Country, notwithstanding [undecipherable] [undecipherable] wondering, they may at any [undecipherable] the Sailing of the fleet; for I cannot conceive it to be the Interest of France especially at this Juncture to commence hostilities with us; they could get nothing by it, & they would loose the Conquerour would be the immediate loss of all their Colonies, Strengthening the British forces in the Islands Increasing the British Interest in the United States, alienating from France their partisans in our Country, diminishing their Supplies & Revenue, & add a vast number of brave and intelligent Seamen to the British fleet already too powerful for their Enemy. — These Considerations make me still hope that they will [undecipherable] [undecipherable] from [undecipherable] above Intentions. Intentions whatever. Symptoms here [undecipherable] manifested — It is proper however that our Government should be informed therewith and be on their Guard — may I request you to mention [undecipherable] to Col^o Blount to whom I [undecipherable] write by next [undecipherable] very fully — My best Respects to M. & G. Blount [undecipherable] to be very respectfully Sir N.B. William Blount rec[eive]d a letter from the same Gent[leman] [at?] Paris 23^d March — The Contents the Same as above with the Addition That another Minister [had] been named after Col^o. Vincent and that he was not to come, but a 3^d or 4^th Nomination would be made. The Writer of the Letter had gone from Paris to Bordeaux immediately before I wrote the above Letter.