Gouverneur Morris letter to Thomas Jefferson, 4 April 1793

Paris, April 4th, 1793.

Dear Sir,

Enclosed you have copies of M. Lebrun's letters to me of the twenty-sixth of March, mine to him of the twenty-eighth, and his to me of the twenty-ninth. I also enclose under this cover the journal of the debates and decrees. These will give you the present state of our news up to the last even ing.

You will perceive, that all my conjectures respecting the army of Dumouriez are more than realized. From the letters of Custine you will perceive that he has been totally defeated, for he found it necessary to fall back about forty miles, leaving a garrison in Mayence, which must fall of course, and we may hourly expect to hear of farther misfortunes in that quarter. Perhaps the Prussian army may stop to besiege Mayence, but I think a part of their force will be sufficient for that purpose. The country, as I have mentioned in a former letter, is universally indisposed to France, and I can say on good information the same thing of Savoy.

It is now very fine weather in this city, and if the season be proportionably advanced in other quarters, the campaign will be soon opened on every side. There will be a great want of bread before we have another harvest, unless peace should take place. If Lisle and Valenciennes should surrender at once, the campaign in that quarter will not be so much advanced as might be apprehended, because as yet the m aga-zines are not brought up, and time must be allowed for that purpose.

It seems indeed probable, that the enemy have taken considerable magazines belonging to France, but even these are at some distance. I expect every hour to hear of an attempt upon Givet or Maubeuge, and it would seem from the best in formation to be had, that neither of these places can be defend-ed long. In short, on every side, the horizon looks darkly. Whether Dumouriez will be able to lead his army against Pa ris, seems as yet uncertain. Perhaps he may experience a similar fate to that of Lafayette, but he is in much better circumstances for a high game, and much abler to play it. At any rate, the enemy derive advantage from the squabble between him and the Convention. Here they are not yet fully apprised of their danger. Like those who die of a hectic, hope gleams to the last, and the latest breath is spent in expression of some splendid fancy. In the expiring struggles, however, let them happen when they may, we shall experience new horrors. Such, at least, is the probable chance.

The constant complaints on account of the capture of Ame rican vessels, and the necessity of giving protection to such of our countrymen, as are here, have prevented me hitherto from leaving Paris. At present, the barriers are strictly guard ed, and those who have applied lately for passports have been disappointed ; but in a few days we shall know something more upon this subject. The ministry seem to be in a fair way towards an entire dissolution. In short, everything here is in almost as much confusion as on the frontiers. I am, &tc.

Gouverneur Morris.