ably they will agree in all, except the organization of the
future States General. As to this, it may be endeavored, by the aid of
wheedling and intimidation, to induce the two privileged chambers to
melt themselves into one, and the Commons, instead of one, to agree to
two Houses of legislation. I see no other middle ground to which they
can be brought.

It is a tremendous cloud, indeed, which hovers over this nation, and he
at the helm has neither the courage nor the skill necessary to weather
it. Eloquence in a high degree, knowledge in matters of account, and
order, are distinguishing traits in his character. Ambition is his first
passion, virtue his second. He has not discovered that sublime truth,
that a bold, unequivocal virtue is the best handmaid even to ambition,
and would carry him further, in the end, than the temporizing, wavering
policy he pursues. His judgment is not of the first order, scarcely even
of the second; his resolution frail; and upon the whole, it is rare
to meet an instance of a person so much below the reputation he has
obtained. As this character, by the post and times in which Providence
has placed it, is important to be known, I send it to you as drawn by
a person of my acquaintance, who knows him well. He is not, indeed, his
friend, and allowance must, therefore, be made for the high coloring.
But this being abated, the facts and groundwork of the drawing are
just. If the _Tiers_ separate, he goes at the same time; if they stay
together, and succeed in establishing a constitution to their mind, as
soon as that is placed in safety, they will abandon him to the mercy
of the court, unless he can recover the confidence which he has lost at
present, and which, indeed, seems to be irrecoverable.

The inhabitants of St. Domingo, without the permission of the
government, have chosen and sent deputies to the States General. The
question of their admission is to be discussed by the States. In the
mean time, the government had promised them an Assembly in their own
Island, in the course of the present year. The death of the Dauphin, so
long expected, has at length happened. Montmorin told Ternant the other
day, that De Moustier had now asked a _conge_, which would be sent him
immediately. So that unless a change of ministry should happen, he will,
probably, be otherwise disposed of. The gazettes of France and Leyden
accompany this. I have the honor to be, with the most perfect esteem and
respect,