The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
The new accessions to the ministry are valued here. Good is hoped from the
Archbishop of Toulouse, who succeeds the Count de Vergennes as _Chef du
Conseil de finance_. Monsieur de Villedeuil, the Comptroller General, has
been approved by the public, in the offices he has heretofore exercised.
The Duke de Nivernois, called to the Council, is reckoned a good and
able man; and Monsieur de Malesherbes, called also to the Council,
is unquestionably the first character in the kingdom, for integrity,
patriotism, knowledge, and experience in business. There is a fear that
the Marechal de Castries is disposed to retire.
The face of things in Europe is a little turbid at present; but probably
all will subside. The Empress of Russia, it is supposed, will not push her
pretensions against the Turks to actual war. Weighing the fondness of the
Emperor for innovation, against his want of perseverance, it is difficult
to calculate what he will do with his discontented subjects in Brabant
and Flanders. If those provinces alone were concerned, he would probably
give back; but this would induce an opposition to his plan, in all his
other dominions. Perhaps he may be able to find a compromise. The cause
of the Patriots in Holland is a little clouded at present. England and
Prussia seem disposed to interpose effectually. The former has actually
ordered a fleet of six sail of the line, northwardly, under Gore; and the
latter threatens to put her troops into motion. The danger of losing such
a weight in their scale, as that of Prussia, would occasion this court to
prefer conciliation to war. Add to this the distress of their finances,
and perhaps not so warm a zeal in the new ministry for the innovations
in Holland. I hardly believe they will think it worth while to purchase
the change of constitution proposed there, at the expense of a war. But
of these things you will receive more particular and more certain details
from Mr. Dumas, to whom they belong.
Mr. Eden is appointed Ambassador from England to Madrid. To the hatred
borne us by his court and country, is added a recollection of the
circumstances of the unsuccessful embassy to America, of which he made a
part. So that I think he will carry to Madrid dispositions to do us all
the ill he can.
The late change in the ministry is very favorable to the prospects of the
Chevalier de La Luzerne. The Count de Montmorin, Monsieur de Malesherbes,
and Monsieur de Lamoignon, the Garde des Sceaux, are his near relations.
Probably something will be done for him, and without delay. The promise
of the former administration to the Count de Moutier, to succeed to this
vacancy, should it take place, will perhaps be performed by the present
one.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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