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
to abandon Prussia: but both of them relaxed a little the tone of their
proceedings. The King of Prussia sent a Mr. Alvensleben here expressly
to explain and soothe: the King of England, notwithstanding the cold
reception of his propositions by Grenville, renewed conferences here
through Eden and the Duke of Dorset. The minister, in the affection of
his heart for peace, readily joined in conference, and a declaration and
counter-declaration were cooked up at Versailles, and sent to London for
approbation. They were approved, arrived here at one o'clock the 27th,
were signed that night at Versailles, and on the next day, I had the honor
of enclosing them to you, under cover to the Count de Moustier, whom
I supposed still at Brest, dating my letter as of the 27th, by mistake
for the 28th. Lest, however, these papers should not have got to Brest
before the departure of the Count de Moustier, I now enclose you other
copies. The English declaration states a notification of this court, in
September, by Barthelemy, their minister at London, "that they would send
succours into Holland," as the first cause of England's arming; desires
an explanation of the intentions of this court, as to the affairs of
Holland, and proposes to disarm; on condition, however, that the King of
France shall not retain any hostile views in any quarter, for what has
been done in Holland. This last phrase was to secure Prussia, according to
promise. The King of France acknowledges the notification by his minister
at London, promises he will do nothing in consequence of it, declares he
has no intention to intermeddle with force in the affairs of Holland, and
that he will entertain hostile views in no quarter, for what has been done
there. He disavows having ever had any intention to interpose with force
in the affairs of that republic. This disavowal begins the sentence, which
acknowledges he had notified the contrary to the court of London, and it
includes no apology to soothe the feelings which may be excited in the
breasts of the Patriots of Holland, at hearing the King declare he never
did intend to aid them with force, when promises to do this were the basis
of those very attempts to better their constitution, which have ended in
its ruin, as well as their own.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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