Havre, June 22, 1795
We are now in hourly expectation of ſailing for England: we have agreed with the Captain of a neutral veſſel, and are only waiting for a propitious wind. This good ally of the French ſeems to be perfectly ſenſible of the value of a conveyance out of the republic, and accordingly we are to pay him about ten times more for our paſſage than he would have aſked formerly. We choſe this port in preference to Calaiſ or Boulogne, becauſe I wiſhed to ſee my friend Madame de ——— at Rouen, and leave Angelique with her relations, who live there.
I walked this morning to the harbour, and ſeeing ſome flat-bottomed boatſ conſtructing, aſked a French gentleman who accompanied me, perhaps a little triumphantly, if they were intended for a deſcent on the Engliſh coaſt. He replied, with great compoſure, that government might deem it expedient (though without any views of ſucceeding) to ſacrifice ten or twenty thouſand men in the attempt.—It is no wonder that governments, accountable for the lives and treaſure they riſk, are ſcarcely equal to a conflict ſuſtained by ſuch power, and conducted on ſuch principles.—But I am wearied and diſguſted with the contemplation of this deſpotiſm, and I return to my country deeply and gratefully impreſſed with a ſenſe of the bleſſings we enjoy in a free and happy conſtitution.
—I am, &c.
Finis