The Diary and Letters of Gouverneur Morris, vol. 2 - Online Library of ...

Online Library of Liberty: The Diary and Letters of Gouverneur Morris, vol. 2
also a note in the Leipsic gazette that there circulated a report on the Main that the
magazines were to be removed from Frankfort to Wetzlaer.”
“Dine at the table d’hôte [September 2d], where our yesterday’s informant tells me he
has received an estafette which announces the advance of the Austrians in every
direction, and the defeat of General Moreau.”
Leaving Dresden on September 2d, Morris continued his journey to Vienna by the
way of Pilnitz. “The château of the Prince, beautifully situated,” he says, “will long be
memorable for the treaty signed between the King of Prussia and the Emperor
Leopold, which has been the pretext (but according to the advocates of the French
cause the motive), to the present war, whose consequences tend to change the political
systems of Europe after laying waste a considerable part of it.” The slavery and
poverty of the people in this region strongly impressed Morris, who mentions a
conversation with the landlady of the house at Toplitz respecting the civil state of the
inhabitants who are serfs. “She tells me (she being one of them, or, at least, her
parents) that by the edicts of Joseph they may, if they please, pay to the lord twelve
kreuzers per day in winter and fifteen in summer for the labor they owe, and that in
general, by precedent conventions, this does not extend to above two days in the
week, so that twenty-seven kreuzers is the average payment; and this, for the year,
may amount to about fifty shillings sterling, for which they have as much land as will
support their families. If so, their service, like that of the righteous, is perfect freedom.
I must inquire a little further into this matter.
“From M. de Callenberg I collect that the situation of the serfs in the Electorate is still
deplorable, although he thinks it quite simple and natural, for some of them belong to
him. It is, however, a consolation to know that these miserable beings—at least,
according to our conceptions—are better off than they were, and it seems probable
that they will by degrees be all emancipated. Joseph did much towards it, and even
established magistrates to hear their plaints and decide on them. What he could not do
was to render such tribunals useful to the poor in contending with the rich. I know not
any means of producing that effect except the temper and spirit of society, which is
more the result than the cause of freedom. The progress towards freedom must
necessarily be slow. The French nation jumped at once from a mild monarchy to a
wild anarchy, and are now in subjection to men whom they despise. I think they will
end by a military despotism.”
Prague was the next stopping-place, where the library was interesting, and the “young
damsel of the house, Mademoiselle Lisette, sups with me and endeavors, with all the
affectation of a coquette, to persuade me to make love to her. I do not care to do it,
though she is very handsome, for she takes snuff.”
“The custom and military officers detain me outside the gate at Vienna [September
15th], and I have to get up two pair of stairs into a wretched room at the Three Axes
Hotel. Go to see M. de Thugut,? who gives me a very civil reception. His eye denotes
a little, sparkling mind, better fitted to please the Prince than to conduct his affairs.
Ride to the Prater, and walking there I see the Princess Potoska, with whom I take tea,
and am then presented to the Prince de Nassau. Madame Potoska tells me that the
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