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
Republic, and agree to the cession of the German provinces on the left bank of the
Rhine; and she also consented that Lombardy and several adjoining States should
become dependencies of the French Republic. Austria was given, in return for her
immense losses, Venice as a spoil. This Bonaparte flung to her, notwithstanding a
protest from the Directory.”
“It appears from the papers to-day [April 18th] that Bonaparte is still rapidly
advancing, and that the Austrians have gained advantages in Tyrol which, followed
up, will enable them to get into his rear and perhaps hem him up in the mountains of
Styria. Should this happen, the affairs of the world may take a turn entirely new.”
“Accounts have arrived [April 23d] by the last French mail that the Directory have
ordered the several officers to pay no attention to passports or certificates given by
American ministers or consuls. This is curious enough; but if, as is far from
impossible, Bonaparte receives a severe check, they will grow less arrogant.”
Bonaparte seemed at this moment to the lookers-on “to be,” as Morris expressed it in
a letter to Lord Grenville on April 25th, “completely in air; and, on the whole, my
lord,” he continues, “I consider the situation of the Allies as being just now much
better than it has been at any period since the commencement of the war. I repeat to
you again, my lord, that the game seems to me to be in your hands, provided you have
patience to play out the cards. If it is possible to send a strong naval force into the
Mediterranean, it will perhaps prove of very great importance.”
“To-day [May 3d], while I am in a shop choosing some chintz for Madame de
Nadaillac, Mr. Parish comes in, and tells me that the French Directory have issued
letters of marque to capture American vessels going to and coming from Great
Britain, and that Admiral Jarvis has blocked up the Spanish fleet at Cadiz.”
“M. Talon breakfasts with me [May 5th]. He gives a strange account of affairs in
America, so far as regards the land speculations. He says the conduct of France
towards America must be, in some measure, attributed to the Bishop of Autun, who,
in a conference with the Directory and Minister for Foreign Affairs, told them
America was to be considered in no other light than Geneva, and must follow
implicitly the orders of France.”
“It is so long since I had the pleasure of conversing with you,” Mr. Morris wrote to
the Countess of Sutherland on May 16th, “that I would seek the opportunity for
novelty’s sake, were there no other charms but those of novelty to be found in your
society. But, as things are, I find these last unnecessary. You will have seen that
Austria has made peace in the critical moment, when her enemy was in the greatest
danger. So Great Britain will save a subsidy; and now, unless they force America into
the war, you will stand alone, for I do not count Portugal for anything. They will only,
I presume, furnish some money to France and shut their ports against you by way of
purchasing peace and what is called independence. The state of your finances, also, is
far from encouraging, but yet I am convinced that (unless panic-struck) you will get
through well. In effect, your enemy cannot employ against you that force in which she
excels, and she cannot, I think, in some considerable time attack you on your own
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