progress of the negotiations between the
courts of Petersburg, Vienna and Versailles. The distance of the
former, and the cautious, unassuming character of its minister here, is
one cause of delays: a greater one is, the greediness and unstable
character of the Emperor. Nor do I think that the Principal here will
be easily induced to lend himself to any connection, which shall
threaten a war within a considerable number of years. His own reign
will be that of peace only, in all probability; and were any accident
to tumble him down, this country would immediately gird on its sword
and buckler, and trust to occurrences for supplies of money. The wound
their honor has sustained festers in their hearts; and it may be said
with truth, that the Archbishop, and a few priests determined to
support his measures, because, proud to see their order come again into
power, are the only advocates for the line of conduct which has been
pursued. It is said and believed through Paris literally, that the
Count de Montmorin, "_pleuroit comme un enfant_," when obliged to sign
the counter-declaration. Considering the phrase as figurative, I
believe it expresses the distress of his heart. Indeed, he has made no
secret of his individual opinion. In the meantime, the Principal goes
on with a firm and patriotic spirit, in reforming the cruel abuses of
the government, and preparing a new constitution, which will give to
this people as much liberty as they are capable of managing. This, I
think, will be the glory of his administration, because, though a good
theorist in finance, he is thought to execute badly. They are about to
open a loan of one hundred millions, to supply present wants, and it is
said, the preface of the _Arret_ will contain a promise of the
convocation of the States General, during the ensuing year. Twelve or
fifteen Provincial Assemblies are already in action, and are going on
well; and I think, that though the nation suffers in reputation, it
will gain infinitely in happiness, under the present administration. I
enclose to Mr. Jay, a pamphlet which I will beg of you to forward. I
leave it open for your perusal. When you shall have read it, be so good
as to stick a wafer in it. It is not yet published, nor will be for
some days. This copy has been ceded to me as a favor.

How do you like our new constitution? I confess there are things in it
which stagger all my dispositions to subscribe to what such an Assembly
has proposed.