rage the efforts of the bankers; though it is yet doubtful
whether they will ensure us a safe passage over the month of June. Not
having my letters here to turn to, I am unable to say whether the last I
wrote, mentioned the declaration of the Emperor that he should take part
in the war against the Turks. This declaration appeared a little before,
or a little after that letter, I do not recollect which. Some little
hostilities have taken place between them. The court of Versailles seems
to pursue immoveably its pacific system, and from every appearance in
the country from which I write, we must conclude that its tragedy is
wound up. The triumph appears complete, and tranquillity perfectly
established. The numbers who have emigrated are differently estimated,
from twenty to forty thousand. A little before I left Paris, I received
a piece of intelligence, which should be communicated, leaving you to
lay what stress on it, it may seem to deserve. Its authenticity may be
surely relied on. At the time of the late pacification, Spain had about
fifteen ships of the line nearly ready for sea. The convention
for disarming did not extend to her, nor did she disarm. This gave
inquietude to the court of London, and they demanded an explanation.
One was given, they say, which is perfectly satisfactory. The Russian
minister at Versailles, getting knowledge of this, became suspicious
on his part. He recollected that Spain, during the late war, had been
opposed to the entrance of a Russian fleet into the Mediterranean, and
concluded, if England was not the object of this armament, Russia
might be. It is known that that power means to send a fleet of about
twenty-four ships into the Mediterranean this summer. He sent to the
Count de Montmorin, and expressed his apprehensions. The Count de
Montmorin declared, that the object of Spain in that armament was
totally different; that he was not sure she would succeed; but that
France and Spain were to be considered as one, and that the former would
become guarantee for the latter, that she would make no opposition to
the Russian fleet. If neither England nor Russia be the object, the
question recurs, Who is it for? You know best, if our affairs with Spain
are in a situation to give jealousy to either of us. I think it very
possible, that the satisfaction of the court of London may have been
pretended or premature. It is possible also, that the affairs of Spain
in South America may require them to