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
My letter of the evening of September the 22d, informed you that the
Prussian troops had entered Holland, and that of the 24th that England had
announced to this court that she was arming generally. These two events
being simultaneous, proved that the two sovereigns acted in concert.
Immediately after, the court of London announced to the other courts
of Europe, that if France entered Holland with armed force, she would
consider it as an act of hostility, and declare war against her; sending
Mr. Granville here at the same, to make what she called a conciliatory
proposition. This proposition was received as a new insult, Mr. Granville
very coolly treated, and he has now gone back. It is said, he has carried
the ultimatum of France. What it is, particularly, has not transpired; it
is only supposed, in general, to be very firm. You will see, in one of the
Leyden gazettes, one of the letters written by the ministers of England
to the courts of their respective residence, communicating the declaration
before mentioned. In the meantime, Holland has been sooner reduced by the
Prussian troops than could have been expected. The abandonment of Utrecht
by the Rhingrave of Salm, seems to have thrown the people under a general
panic, during which every place submitted, except Amsterdam. That had
opened conferences with the Duke of Brunswick; but as late as the second
instant, no capitulation was yet concluded. The King of Prussia, on his
first move, demanded categorically of the King of Poland, what part he
intended to act in the event of war. The latter answered, he should act as
events should dictate; and is, in consequence of this species of menace
from Prussia, arming himself. He can bring into the field almost seventy
thousand good cavalry. In the meantime, though nothing transpires publicly
of the confederation between France and the two empires, mentioned in my
letter of September the 19th, it is not the less sure that it is on the
carpet, and will take place. To the circumstances before mentioned may
be added, as further indications of war, the naming as Generalissimo of
their marine on the Atlantic, Monsieur de Suffrein, on the Mediterranean,
Monsieur Albert de Rioms, the recalling Monsieur de St. Priest, their
ambassador, from Antwerp, before he had reached the Hague, and the
activity of their armies by sea. On the other hand, the little movement by
land would make one suppose they expected to put the King of Prussia into
other hands. They, too, like the Emperor, are arranging matters at home.
The rigorous levy of the _deux vingtiemes_ is enregistered, the stamp act
and impost territorial are revoked, the parliament recalled, the nation
soothed by these acts, and inspired by the insults of the British court.
The part of the Council still leaning towards peace, are become unpopular,
and perhaps may feel the effects of it. No change in the administration
has taken place since my last, unless we may consider as such, Monsieur
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private — John Shaqi
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