r: Monroe,
who was much esteemed and respected in Paris. He spoke of the President in the most respectful
terms, and said he was a great man, and deserving of veneration from All
Mankind. I told him such was our opinion in America. “And it is the
general opinion in France too said he. There may be some exceptions
because great pains have been taken to prejudice minds against him, but
in general we know from what a perfidious quarter those pains came, and
therefore they have been in general unsuccessful. We had a minister in
the United States, Genet, who conducted himself imprudently there, and
we disavowed all his misconduct— Genet’s intentions I believe were not
bad; but he fell into 13bad
hands upon his arrival in America, and was impelled to his offensive
conduct, by people of the Country, who wanted to produce a discord
between your Government and our Minister to serve their personal views.
The British fomented it, and were very glad to see the designs of
disturbing the friendship between France and the United States. They
were at the same time intriguing with us, to make us believe the
American Government was hostile to France; it was the detection of some
manoeuvres of this kind, which opened the eyes of many people among us,
and convinced them, that they had been mistaken in supposing your
President unfriendly to our cause. I am sorry for Genet, because he is a
man of talents, and meant well I believe though he got led into trouble
by bad advisers. We have now sent out Adet, a very able and very excellent man; Fauchet is a man of abilities; but he
is a young man, and not equal to an embassy so important as that of the
United States: we consider it as an Embassy of the first importance, and
have now sent a man, who by his talents and by his manners, will be
fully equal to it.
“Upon mention of the late decree of the Convention, restoring the members heretofore outlawed; “yes said he, and I am very glad to hear of it. I want to see every thing disappear of that system which for fourteen months desolated France. I was so fortunate myself to be absent in mission with the armies during almost the whole of that time, and was always glad to be absent in those cruel times.”
He again returned to his favourite topic of the miracles performed by
their armies; mentioned that under their former Government they had
troops who fought very well in the War of our Independence; [“]but the
officers who were then and are now in the service say that the troops do
infinitely greater wonders now than they did then. Pichegru himself was to have gone
to America, during that War; he was embarked at Cadiz; being then an
Officer of Cavalry; but the expedition was countermanded. Our Armies
were then fighting for your Liberty, and that gave them an extraordinary
ardour; but now they fight for their own, and nothing is impossible to
them. We dont allow ourselves in the campaign more than two or three
hours sleep in a night; and I remember I once was so totally exhausted,
that I fell asleep on my horse in the midst of an action.” Such an
instance of indifference to danger, could not possibly be heard without
notice and admiration, and to qualify the exalted opinion of his
courage, with an idea of modesty equally supernatural, he added “it is
true, I was then exposed to the danger only of the cannon. But upon
simple marches, I have very often slept three and four hours at a time
upon my horse, as we went along. At the beginning of the War, it was
absolutely necessary for the Representatives to in mission to be the first to 14expose themselves to every personal danger
and every hardship; because the good will of the soldiers to hazard and
endure depended very much upon having the example set them, by us. But
now it is so universal a thing and they have been so long used to it,
that they go on without minding, and often without knowing, whether the
Representative is with them or not. Our maxim is that whatever an Army
is commanded to do, it must do. So if we have an Enemy before us, we
attack; we fight all day but if we have not beat him; we sleep upon the
field; as soon as day light appears, we attack again, and continue
fighting in this way until we succeed in our object.”
This is certainly the true system of War which the french armies have pursued: it has been crowned with compleat success, and must necessarily be so when it is practiced by brave men, and a powerful superiority of numbers, but both these circumstances are requisite to give any utility whatever to this art of War. In any other case it must be pernicious and destructive.
We had a band of music playing during the dinner. Richard asked me whether there was much taste for music in America. I told him no; that American Genius was very much addicted to Painting, and we had produced in that Art some of the greatest masters of the Age; but that we had neither cultivated nor were attached much to music. That it had always appeared to me a singular phenomenon in the national character, and I could not account for it otherwise than by supposing it owing to some particular construction of our fibres, that we were created without a strong devotion to music. “Oh! do not say so, (said he) you will be chargeable with high treason, against the character of your Country, for such a sentiment, especially if you were to deliver it to an Italian or french connoisseur, & virtuoso.” [“]I suppose so said I, but then I must rely for my pardon, upon the other tribute which I have paid to my country’s Genius in the article of painting.” [“]As for the rest (I added) I pretend not to trace the cause of the fact, but Music is not an object of enthusiasm in America; and that Marseillaise hymn, that your band are now playing, reminds me of a forcible proof of the fact I have stated. The Americans fought seven years and more for their Liberty: if ever a people had occasion to combine the sensations of Harmony with the Spirit of Patriotism, they had it during that time. Yet there never was during the whole period, a single song written, nor a single tune composed, which electrised every soul, and was resounded by every voice like your patriotic songs.” “That is indeed said he a very strong fact.” I told him that if I could be permitted to cite myself as an instance, I am extremely fond of music, and by dint of great pains have learnt to blow very badly the flute. But could never learn to perform upon the violin, because I never could acquire the art of putting the instrument in tune. That I consoled myself with the idea of being an American and therefore not susceptible of great musical powers; though I must do my countrymen the justice to say that few of them are so very dull as this. That I knew many who had a musical ear, and could tune an instrument with little or no instruction at all.
I know not whether the Representative Richard finally concluded that I was guilty 15of debasing the Genius of my Country, but the American Character needs no speaking-trumpet of Vanity to proclaim its praise. For us the voice of truth and of Justice is enough, and on that ground we shall never dread the test of comparison, with any Nation upon Earth.— In the midst of this discussion an incident occurred which gave a full proof that some of the musical enthusiasm which Richard thought so essential an attribute of the dignified human character, is among the french the result of fashion, and not of an accurate and discerning taste.
Alquier complained that the music performing was bad, and after sometime declared that one of the clarinets was discordant. The director of the band was called, and ordered
to make the harmony more complete. The discord however continued. At length Richard assured Alquier that there was none. That the effect only proceeded from the loudness of the instrument and its proximity. Alquier insisted, and appealed to Madame Richard, who confirmed his judgment. The clarinett was pronounced discordant, and the decision as far as I could judge was just. On one side or the other, a discerning ear was certainly deficient, and both were too much in the ton, not to be enthusiastic musicians; for Alquier made a number of grimaces and shrugged his shoulders, at every grating sound while Richard in the full confidence of delicious enjoyment was positive that there was not a discordant sound.
He returned to the subject of painting; asked me the names of our great painters, and whether they were historical painters. I mentioned among the others Trumbull, and his
design of painting a series to give the History of our War. With his two first pictures and the engravings nearly finished of the Deaths of Warren and Montgomery.
He enquired, whether we had any originals of the Greatest masters of the Schools. I answered very few. “Ah! parbleu (said he) vous me faites venir une idée.” “Yes,” putting his finger to his forehead, as a promise of remembrance “yes” said he “I will remember it. I will not forget this idea.” He paused a moment and then added. “We will send you some; you must form a national Gallery. We will send you a number of very fine pictures. We can do it as well as not, for our Government has got an immense number of them. How do you think such a present would be received?” “No doubt it would be received said I with all the gratitude, that would be due to it.” “Well said he it is a good idea; and I will not forget it.” I believe my promise of gratitude, is as good as his promise of pictures.
I had also some conversation with the Greffier Quarles. He said he should have gone to America had not the late Revolution taken place. Mentioned his having been obliged to resign his former office of deputy Greffier after the Revolution of 1787. That after that he had retired into the Country, and lived as a farmer about five years, untill he was called from his obscurity again by the late change of Affairs
He enquired after my father whom he knew when here. [“]I remember (said he) that 16soon after his admission here as American Minister, I saw him one day, and asked him how he liked the Country &c. He said he had that day remarked a circumstance for which he could not well account. That having occasion to present a memorial to the States General he went in the morning according to Custom and delivered it to the President. That afterwards he had been to visit the Prince Stadholder, and was very much surprized to see the same man who in the morning had received him formally, as President then open the door to him as the Prince’s valet, otherwise called his chamberlain.”
I told him that it was unquestionably an absurdity under their former Government, to see the same day a man acting the double part of head of the Legislative body, and of a personal retainer to the executive chief; but that probably nothing of this kind would be seen under the new order of things, to which he assented.
He enquired respecting Mr: Dumas.— I told him I
understood he had demanded, that a Resolution of the States General,
past in the 1788. respecting him, and as he thought injurious to his
honour, should be rescinded. Enquired whether it had been done. He said
no. That some sort of resolution had been taken; but the former record
could not be erased, unless I would take some measure in his behalf.
That if the Government of the United States would interest themselves in
his favour, there was no doubt every attention would be paid to their
representations, and appeared desirous that I should embark in the
cause. I told him that I was not thoroughly informed of the transaction,
and if Mr: Dumas desired the interference of
the American Government, I was persuaded he would solicit it.
Richard enquired if there were many french emigrants in America. I told him very few. “Those emigrants are very dangerous people said he. I hope your Government, will keep a watch over them. They have deep designs, and may be intriguing when there is no suspicion of them. Though I am persuaded said he, that a great many people, have been forced to emigrate; who would never have done it from choice, but were driven to it by terror. Have you many of the emigrants of the old monarchy. I answered that I knew of none. “No said he, that is not the Country in which they sought refuge.” There are a few Constitutional emigrants said I. “Yes there is Noailles said he. Noailles went to the public Audience of the President with the old french uniform, and a white cockade, and announced himself as the Vicomte de Noailles, a french Officer. The President told him he knew no Vicomte de Noailles, and no french officer in that uniform. Then he attempted to get introduced to the private audience of the President, but met with an equal repulse there, and the President would not see him.” I know not where he got this Story. I make some question of the facts; but made no observation to him upon the subject.
I enquired of him what is at this time the state of cultivation in
France. [“]Greater than ever it was said he. I have just travelled the
Country from Paris here. It is every where in an high state of
cultivation. The grain is already grown two or three 17Inches high. All France is in an
higher State of cultivation than it was before the Revolution; because
many hunting grounds have been converted into Grain fields. The English
traveller Arthur Young says, that
wherever he found a chateau there he found
barrenness all round it for some distance; but he would not find it so
now. Notwithstanding the great armies we have on foot, men are not
wanting for cultivation, because our population was so great heretofore,
that five or six men, were taken to do the labour that may be done by
one. A peasant for instance would have a certain field to labour with
three or four sons; all laboured partially, because none could labour
elsewhere. But now the Sons come to the Armies, and the father remains
behind, and is able to do all the work himself. Our vineyards are
carried to a greater perfection than they have ever been.” He then
enquired whether we had vineyards in America. I answered that all
attempts to introduce them hitherto had failed. He recommended very
strongly perseverance in the attempt, and said we could easily get
assistance for the purpose from France. I replied that as long as our
people could get foreign wines better and cheaper than they could be
raised among ourselves, we should probably not succeed, in raising them
at home.— It will be
well to obtain information on this head, but the tale of Williamos is soon told.
After we rose from table I had some conversation with one of the
Officers, and one of the Secretaries, their names were unknown to me.
Very civil polite people. The Secretary said he believed the English
were very glad that the slaves had been freed in the french islands.
that he supposed after this War all the West Indies, would be free and
independent of any European controul. That by their proximity to a free
country, they would naturally imbibe the Spirit of freedom. I told him I
somewhat questioned that. That our intercourse with the West-Indies was
simply commercial, and we had no political communications with them at
all. [“]Then the propagating madness has not reached you said he![”]—
[“]Madness said I? do you venture to call it madness? your Government
seemed to countenance the System at one period, and even since your
arrival here, some of your countrymen, have told me you were very soon
going to London—[”] “Oh! yes said he I hope we shall have the pleasure
of seeing you there to breakfast; and if you please, we will dine
together on the same day at Vienna, and take lodgings that night at
Constantinople. But to be serious I hope you will not attribute to the
french nation such a wild system as that;” I told him I had always done
them more Justice; but I was afraid such an opinion though without foundation would have a tendency to
protract the War. They were a conquering Nation;
and whatever moderation conquerors might have, it was extremely
difficult to establish an opinion of it. “Ah! said he, if we could but
conquer our happiness; if we could but become an happy Nation!”
Young Dedem exhibited a great number of views and figures, drawn by him from the life, in Turkey, Greece and Egypt. They were very well drawn, very well coloured, designed with taste, and executed with a delicate pencil. His father was very proud of them, and through him the Representative Alquier paid the young man, many well deserved compliments 18upon his possessing this useful and agreeable talent. He was highly gratified with the praise, and it was a well earned reward.
Baron Schubart told me his courier to Hamburg would not go till Friday. I took the opportunity to mention to the Representative Alquier, my desire for an answer which he had promised me. He made all possible apologies for not having sent it before; and excused with all the disarming complaisance which is so much at their command, his want of punctuality, that I could not possibly think of it with any dissatisfaction; it was all repaired, and I was promised that my answer should infallibly be sent me by tomorrow 2. o’clock, P.M. The only reason why I had not yet received it because the Secretaries had been so much engaged, that they had not yet made out the copies in all the Registers.
In my turn I apologized to him for repeating so frequently my
solicitations, and withdrew. Employed the Evening in writing to Messrs:
Willink, van
Staphorst and Hubbard.