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
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
Letter to Washington concerning M. Genet. Morris questions his ability. Clew to
some mysteries of the Revolution. Morris urged to leave Paris. Paris a dangerous
residence. He determines to stay. Letter in verse to Lady Sutherland. Trial of Louis
Sixteenth. Letter to Jefferson. The king’s execution. His dignified manner. War with
England inevitable. Letter to Washington. French prospects dreadful. Parties pass
away like shadows. Morris reported a victim of the guillotine. Letter to Robert Morris.
Letter to Jefferson. Scarcity of men in France. The Revolutionary Tribunal organized.
Morris arrested in the street. Letter to Jefferson. Growing treachery to the
government. A majority in the Convention in favor of royalty. Morris buys a country
place. Leaves Paris. Spends the summer at Sainport.
On the 6th of January, 1793, Morris wrote to Washington concerning M. Genet, the
new Minister from France to the United States. Morris says:
“I have seen M. Genet, and he has dined with me since I had the pleasure of writing to
you on the 28th of last month. He has, I think, more of genius than ability, and you
will see in him at first blush the manner and look of an upstart. My friend, the
Maréchal de Ségur, had told me that M. Genet was a clerk at £50 per annum in his
office while Secretary of War. I turned the conversation, therefore, on the maréchal,
and M. Genet told me that he knew him very well, having been in the ministry with
him. After dinner he entered into dispute with a merchant who came in, and, as the
question turned chiefly on facts, the merchant was rather an overmatch for the
minister. I think that in the business he is charged with he will talk so much as to
furnish sufficient matter for putting him on one side of his object, should that be
convenient.
“I have endeavored to show him that this is the worst possible season to put to sea for
America. If he delays, there is some room to suppose that events may happen to
prevent the mission; perhaps a British ship may intercept that which takes him out,
and I incline to think that until matters are more steady here you would be as well
content with some delay as with remarkable despatch. . . . As I have good reason to
believe that this letter will go safely, I shall mention some things which may serve as
a clew to lead through mysteries. Those who planned the revolution which took place
on the 10th of August sought a person to head the attack, and found a M.
Westermann,? whose morals were far from exemplary. He has no pretensions to
science or to depth of thought, but he is fertile in resources and imbued with the most
daring intrepidity. Like Cæsar, he believes in his fortune. When the business drew
towards a point the conspirators trembled, but Westermann declared they should go
on. They obeyed, because they had trusted him too far. On that important day his
personal conduct decided, in a great measure, his success. Rewards were due, and
military rank, with opportunities to enrich himself, granted. You know something of
Dumouriez. The Council distrusted him. Westermann was commissioned to destroy
him should he falter. This commission was shown to the general. It became the bond
of union between him and Westermann. Dumouriez opened treaty with the King of
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