The context of this letter is the capture of the fort of Saint-Martin de Ré, by the English, in July. While Admiral Théodore de Mantin , the Commander of Rhode (or Rode) , and the Commissioner of the Navy Louis Le Roux d'Infreville received the order to go there, assisted by the captains garrisoned in the fortress of Port-Louis, Marshal de Thémines , in Auray, tried to organize the defense of the Breton coasts.
Saying that that le sieur de Chavaus gave him Richelieu's letters of August 6 and 7, the first of which informed him of the speed needed in dealing with the situation of the little place [i.e the taking of the Fort of Saint-Martin-de-Ré by the English], and he will not waste a moment. Saying he is pleased the king has given him the responsibility, and expressing gratitude for everything Richelieu has done for him. Asking for more help, since he has little money, but saying he will spare nothing to receive the guests Richelieu is sending him. Relating that le sieur de Manty [Theodore de Mantin] left yesterday, and that le sieur de Thoirax [Jean Caylar de Saint-Bonnet, Maréchal de Toiras], who was also there, [became bored?]. Describing how, after he received Richelieu's orders, he sent capable persons to the island [île de Ré]. Requesting reinforcements. Saying le sieur de Santou has provided information about the island, and that many people think there is a plan to come to the coast [of Brittany] and take Blavet, so he has immediately dispatched sieurs de Quérolin and de Rhodes, and the captains of the Estissac regiment; and that he himself is leaving to see the state of things and will return the same day. Saying le sieur de Santou informed him that a Spanish ship, under orders of the king of Spain, had been prowling as far as Les Sables to learn news of the English army, its location, the number of their vessels, their forces and their design, with instructions to throw the said commission into the sea if the ship fell into enemy hands, which suggests the English are actually planning to approach the coast. Saying he also learned from le sieur Marquis de Couesquin [le Marquis Louis de Coëtquen] that England is arming 40 large ships and 30 smaller ones, and that the king of England removed three thousand soldiers from Ireland and moved them to Guernesey and Jersey. Saying he thinks that it is greatly to be desired that the king of France send men or orders to conscript local ones.