Autograph letter signed : Beaconsfield, to Philip Francis, 1778 December 24.

Informing Francis that William Burke has returned from India with a commission from the Raja of Tanjore, Thuljaji, concerning his rival the Nawab of Arcot, Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, who was an ally of the British East India Company; commenting "I think that those at present in Office begin to be at length sensible that no sound policy can dictate the annihilation of many of the Indian princes in order to flatter the ambition or to encrease an already overgrown power in any one of them"; discussing the "disasters" and "Follies" underway in the West: "A French War is added to the American; & there is all the reason in the World to expect a Spanish to be superadded to the French"; speculating that other Caribbean islands will fall to the French, as Dominica had in September: "We have no fleet in those Seas, worth mentioning. Two Ships of the line, two fifties & about four lesser frigates under Admiral [Samuel] Barrington make the whole of our Armament there [...] The French have, however, I am afraid, been before hand with us. D'Estaign has saild from Boston, & there is very little Doubt that the West Indies are his object"; mentioning that Lord William Barrington has retired from the position of secretary of war and Charles Jenkinson has replaced him; commenting on Jenkinson's budget ("our New Secretary at War valued himself upon Troops that are not raised; on money that is not subscribed; & on Funds which are not as yet so much as thought of") and the position of the East India Company; mentioning the return of British generals and members of the peace commission from America and the trial of Augustus Keppel; telling Francis that their mutual friend John Bourke is "the same worthy and good humourd man he always was"; sending regards from other friends, who "heartily rejoice at the Success and honour that has attended you; although you meet obstructions as all must do, who aim at any uncommon degree of perfection."