“Be happy, M. le Comte, this year and all years. No one merits to be so, more than you, and no one desires it more truly than “Beaumarchais.” [1] Beaumarchais had aided in placing Grand on firm footing with the American Commission (Doniol II, 613). Although no longer made use of as intermediary, the former agent of the government was not wholly abandoned by Vergennes. A few days previously Beaumarchais had written: “M. le Comte: I felt yesterday the sweet influences of your goodness. If I did not obtain what I asked for, at least I could judge by the gentle tone of the prohibitions that they were less directed against me than forced by events and promises already made. To lose much money is a great evil, when one has very little; but to carry in one’s heart the mortal sorrow of displeasing when one has done one’s best, and even the best that could be done, under the circumstances, is a state which kills me. Receive, M. le Comte the warmest testimony of my gratitude.” On the 22nd of January, 1778, the discarded agent handed in the résumé required of him by the ministers. In writing to Vergennes he said: “This sorrowful Memorial (_Mémoire Particulière, pour les ministres du Roi, et une manifeste pour l’Etat_) which at another time, and on another subject, I could have finished in two hours, has taken me eight days to write, my head being so confused by the frightful medley of objects which it contains, and in regard to which I claim your justice while invoking your mercy.