me general suggestions for the guidance of the secretary of war in
the disposition of the army.

Arriving at Mount Vernon, Washington was delighted with a letter from
Lafayette, who spoke with much feeling of the pleasure he derived from
conversations with his son about that pleasant home on the Potomac. The
marquis then adverted to politics, and said it was his full persuasion
that the French Directory seriously desired to be at peace with the
United States. Under this conviction, he expressed a hope that
Washington would use his "influence to prevent the breach from widening,
and to insure a noble and enduring reconciliation." In his reply to this
portion of the letter, Washington said, "You have expressed a wish
worthy of the benevolence of your heart." He assured him that no man
could deprecate a rupture between the two governments more than he. "You
add," he said, "that the executive Directory are disposed to an
accommodation of all differences. If they are sincere in this
declaration, let them evidence it by their actions; for words,
unaccompanied therewith, will not be much regarded now. I would pledge
myself that the government and people of the United States will meet
them heart and hand, at a fair negotiation; having no wish more ardent
than to live in peace with all the world, provided they are suffered to
remain undisturbed in their just rights.... On the politics of Europe, I
shall express no opinion, nor make any inquiry who is right or who is
wrong. I wish well to all nations and to all men. My politics are plain
and simple. I think every nation has a right to establish that form of
government under which it conceives it may be most happy, provided it
infracts no right, or is not dangerous to others; _and that no
governments ought to interfere with the internal concerns of another_,
except for the security of what is due to themselves."

CHAPTER XLI.

GLOOMY ASPECT OF AFFAIRS--WASHINGTON'S HOPEFULNESS--THE FRENCH
DIRECTORY ALARMED--NEW MISSION TO FRANCE--OPPOSITION TO
IT--WASHINGTON'S VIEWS--ENVOYS DEPART FOR FRANCE--NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
AT THE HEAD OF FRENCH AFFAIRS--RESULT OF THE MISSION--WASHINGTON AT
HOME--CORRESPONDENCE WITH YOUNG CUSTIS--MARRIAGE OF NELLY
CUSTIS--PREPARATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS--WASHINGTON MAKES HIS
WILL--LETTER TO LAWRENCE LEWIS--PLAN FOR MANAGING HIS
ESTATES--WASHINGTON'S LATEST CORRESPONDENCE.

At the opening of the year 1799, the political