nothing to do, are for the present well; but they will cease to be novelties and soon become tiresome, and to be secure you must have some sufficient object that will interest and employ the passions of the Nation. The mere defensive system of the enemies of France has been a principal cause of her success, and if we adopt the error we shall be exposed to greater Risques than by a bold and active system, which, exclusive of being the most certain means of safety, would promise the acquisition of great and lasting advantages.

The Destiny of the new world, and I have a full and firm persuasion that it will be both happy and glorious, is in our hands. We have a right and it is our duty to deliberate and act, not as secondaries, but as Principals. The object and the occasion are such as we ought not in respect to ourselves and others to suffer to pass unimproved.

I have nothing to observe in reference to the subject of regret and complaint,* mentioned in your last letters. You will not doubt that all the means in my power have been employed to correct the mischief; they have served only to convince me that it is incorrigible; it is an evil too deeply rooted and too powerfully protected to be cured; and it is something gained to know that it is so. If we are wise we shall have the agents that will place the remedy in our own hands.

A Frigate returning from Malta to Toulon and a general officer has been captured by an English frigate, and we are told that Buonaparte had sailed on his expedition two days before the Eng. fleet that pursues him arrived there. If so, the French fleet is in great danger. Many persons think that great events depend on the success or failure of Buonaparte's expedition. All the late

* Reference is probably here made to a letter of Hamilton, June 6th (vol. vi., p. 298), in which occurs the following passage: "How vexatious it is that at such a juncture there should be officers of Great Britain, who, actuated by a spirit of plunder, are doing the most violent things, calculated to check the proper amount of popular feeling (in the U. States), and to furnish weapons to the enemies of government," and mentioning several cases of outrages in the W. Indies, such as Cambauld's at the Mole, and the captures of vessels by Cochrane of the Thetis, he closes: "There seems a fatality in all this. It cannot be doubted that the British Cabinet must at this time desire to conciliate this country. It is to be hoped they will not want vigor to do it with effect, by punishing those who contravene the object."-ED.

arrivals from Paris say a new storm is at hand; but none express a hope that the changes it may effect will render the condition of France or of others better. Gerry still hangs about the Directory!! At Rastadt the Congress continues, and the jealousies between Austria and Prussia artfully kept alive by the common Enemy, prevent that hearty union without which no successful cooperation will take place against France.

In Ireland the Rebellion is suppressed, and our Government will I hope have the power and the inclination to exclude those disaffected characters, who will be suffered to seek an asylum among us. England is more than ever united and resolves with confidence in the superiority of her resources to prosecute the war. There is no talk of peace; nor is there any appearance wh. wd. lead to an opinion that new overtures for that purpose are likely soon to be made.

On the other hand France is extremely embarrassed any longer to find the money necessary to maintain her army and carry on the war.

Be so kind as to present my affectionate respect and congratulations to the Governor. I ought to write to him, but I consider a letter to him or you as nearly the same.

With great truth and attachment &c. Yrs.

R. KING.

P. S. We have just heard that Gerry has received his passport. At the close of Talleyrand's letter, sending it, he says though the Directory, as a measure of precaution, has laid an embargo upon all American vessels, " telle est la répugnance du Directoire à considérer les Etats Unis comme ennemis, que malgré leurs démonstrations hostiles, il veut attendre, qu' il y voit irrésistiblement forcé par des hostilités réelles."

R. KING.

CHAPTER XXV.

King to R. Troup-French and Irish Affairs-Benedict Arnold-To Secretary of State-French Affairs-United States must be firm-Reports of Volney-Lord Grenville on Relations of the United States with FranceGerry's Arrival at Spithead-King's Failure to see him-Duverne de Praisle sent to Philadelphia-His Character-Dr. Logan's Arrival at HamburgKing to W. Vans Murray-Negotiation between England and Holland— Mr. Derby desires to import Saltpetre from E. Indies to America-King to purchase Muskets and Cannon for the United States-King's Admiration of the Firmness of the Govt. of the United States in Relations with France-Conversation with Lord Grenville on the Effect of the Rupture of Treaties with France-Probability of Revolution in S. America—European Politics-To S. Williams relative to Seizure of Nails as Contraband -Cabot on European Affairs—Also on the Condition of the United States and its Firmness.

MY DEAR SIR:

R. KING TO R. TROUP.

July 31, 1798.

I give you a thousand thanks for three letters that I have lately received from you. They have given me more information and more satisfaction than all I had heard for the preceding six months. We are delighted with the firm and manly conduct of our Government. If any thing will save us from the Snares and Ruin prepared for us, it will be the resolute and plain Policy of which the President's conduct is so worthy an example. We everywhere gain applause and admiration; even from those who have strong prejudices to overcome in speaking well of any of

our measures.

Such persons as have lately returned from Paris concur in their reports of the disappointment and chagrin of those who are most intimate with the Directory. Nothing can exceed the rage of the apostate Americans, who have so long misrepresented and disgraced their country at Paris. Mr. Gerry remained there, when

we last heard from thence. The information lately received from Philadelphia, which is to the 20th of June, has been received and published with tolerable fidelity in the French papers. The late law, authorizing the Directory to make domiciliary visits is the return of terror and forbodes another Revolution. The Expedition agt. Engd. is of tedious preparation.

The Rebellion in Ireland is suppressed and there is reason to believe, so numerous and vigilant have been the English ships of war, that not a single musket, nor a single officer have been landed in Ireland. If measures are not employed to prevent it, you will find that considerable numbers of the disaffected will seek an asylum among us. Notwithstanding all you may hear to the contrary, England is more united than ever; confident in her resources and, thoroughly convinced of the importance of the contest, she will manfully maintain it, until Peace can be obtained that will bring security. The French have demonstrated their inability in respect to the threatened invasion, in not having attempted even to succour Ireland whom she encouraged to revolt. If England is wise she will pursue a Policy that will hereafter preserve her from that anxiety and expence to which she has been so often exposed by Ireland. Scotland was formerly equally troublesome; but since the Union the Scots have been loyal; the same measure would probably produce the same effects in Ireland.

We are waiting with impatience for further news from the Mediterranean-At Rastadt nothing is decided and the Congress continues. The jealousies between Austria and Prussia prevent their union, without which both these nations must undergo a Revolution. Our Agent in the case of captures has just recd. from the Exchequer in payment of the awards of the commissrs. and of Sir Wm. Scott and Dr. Nicholl, about £70,000 Sterling, and there is a prospect of a satisfactory termination of the cases of capture that fall within the purview of the Treaty. . .

You have undoubtedly heard that here, as well as with you, all the country have been permitted to form volunteer corps-in the Parish of Mary-le-bone, the tradesmen associated and a proposal was made to appoint a number of half-pay officers to be their officers. General Arnold lives in that Parish, and a rumour circulated that he wished a command. The tradesmen met and resolved that General Arnold, having once betrayed and deserted

his duty, ought never again to be trusted, and that they wd. never serve with him or under his command.

Yours,
R. KING.

P. S. We hear that Mr. Gerry has demanded and received his Passport. Mr. Talleyrand informs Mr. Gerry, "that notwithstanding the hostile preparations in America, the Directory will wait until they are forced by actual hostilities to declare war." They do not easily relinquish a plan, and they appear moderate and humble, in hopes that we shall relax and that in the end they shall succeed.

R. KING TO SECRETARY OF STATE. No. 88.

DEAR SIR:

LONDON, August 1, 1798.

It is confirmed that France has laid an Embargo on all American vessels in her ports, and I have reason to apprehend that the same measure will be enforced in Holland. The knowledge of what has been done in France will hasten the departure of such of our ships as are in the Dutch ports. Excepting ten or twelve at Bordeaux, there are but few American vessels in the French ports, and I do not learn that the number is considerable in Holland.

Mr. Gerry received his Passport on the 15th ulto., but was still at Paris on the 25th, tho' proposing to leave it to embark at Havre; Genl. Pinckney has reached Bordeaux, where he experiences new embarrassments on account of the Embargo, but expects to receive permission to embark in the ship in which Dupont and others lately returned to France. I have sent you by various channels Talleyrand's last letter to Mr. Gerry, which having been published in Paris, has been republished here. You will doubtless regret that Mr. Gerry's unfortunate separation from his colleagues has furnished an occasion for some of the Remarks that this letter contains, the principal object of which, agreeable to the original and avowed hopes of the Directory, and which it appears they still cherish, is the establishment of that division among our People, and between them and the Government which will enable France to regulate the destinies of America, in the manner she continues to rule those of Europe.