William Thomas, alias Sir J. Grenville writes to Sir Edward Hyde 'Remarks in disguised language upon the King's affairs, his agents annd friends in England. From Whitehall the Earl of Shrewsbury to Deputy Governor of Dover. We will never know whether the lady was smuggling good French cognac or perfume or whether there were secret papers concealed within the flasks. Mr Forty of St. Malo an English merchant with brother merchants in London, well-known by an officer in the Fleet who tells me they are very busy inquisitive men. This can be interpreted in several ways.
Disinformation is a modern word.
False information is a phrase which may have been more appropriate. In 1691 Simeon Lafosse, and in 1697 James Defors, a French Protestant, received official passes to go to Holland. Charles de Ia Fosse, Elizabeth his wife, Elizabeth his mother, his daughter Margaret and 2 servants received a pass to go to France. The Historical Manuscripts Commission 8th Report 1881, Vol. Other correspondents were French refugees, the chief of whom was M Caillaud and M de Ia Force.