The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 04
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 04
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
He has remarked, as well as yourself, the address which our enemies
use to circulate false reports, and to make Europe believe that the
Americans are making advances to them, in order to treat of an
arrangement with them. The Count de Vergennes is likewise persuaded
of the contrary, as he is assured that no new treaty has been
negotiated with the Princes of Germany, and that no levies are making
there, but for the sake of filling up the old ones. He does not think
that the news of the treaty with Russia, nor that which relates to the
Court of Denmark, are better founded. He told me that I might do
myself the honor to write you, that all those rumors are false, and
that you run no risk in presenting them as such to the persons, on
whom you think they have made some impression, both in Europe and
America.
I am extremely anxious to have the honor to see you, and congratulate
you on your happy return. As I but seldom go to Paris, I wish your
business may permit you to do me the honor to call at my house and
accept of a family dinner.
I have the honor to be, &c.
GENET.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Paris, February 20th, 1780.
Sir,
Since my arrival in Europe, I have had the mortification to see in the
public papers a series of little successes, which our enemies have had
in the prosecution of the war. The first was a very exaggerated
account in the English Court Gazette, of their successes against the
Spaniards in South America. The next was the history of the repulse of
General Lincoln and the Count d'Estaing at Savannah, and the raising
of the siege at that post. These were soon followed by the capture of
the Spanish fleet of transport ships by Rodney's squadron, and the
advantage gained by that Admiral over the Spanish ships of war, after
a most gallant resistance, however, off Gibraltar.
These small triumphs, although chiefly of the defensive and negative
kind, and a poor compensation for the blood and the millions they are
annually wasting, are, however, sufficient to cheer the spirits of the
British populace, and to banish from the minds of the Ministry all
thoughts of peace upon reasonable terms; for the English in the
present war act upon a maxim diametrically opposite to that of the
Romans, and never think of peace upon any event fortunate to them, but
are anxious for it under every great adversity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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