Diary of John Adams, volume 2
1779-07-02
Walking this afternoon, with Mr. Marbois, upon the Quarter Deck, I said frankly to him, that I had expected that Mr. Garnier would have been sent to America. That I had observed some things in the Conduct of B. and C.1 which made me conjecture and believe that they were planning to have Mr. G
Between our selves, said Mr. Marbois, I believe that was a Reason, why he did not go.
Mr. G
I said, I had the Pleasure of some Acquaintance and a good deal of Conversation with Mr. G
There is Reason to believe, said Mr. Marbois, that Dr. Franklin is not too much pleased with the Appointment of the Chevalier. What is the Reason of the Attachment of Dr. F. to B.?—Because B. is devoted to Mr. D
That at present he and Mr. C. had in a manner the Direction of American Affairs. That C
Mr. Marbois said, in Fact, he had the Management but it was altogether improper. That the K
The Chevalier came up, and said as our Court would take it amiss, if an American Minister should meddle in the Cabals or Intrigues at Versailles, So the United States should resent a french Ministers taking a Part in any Disputes among them. That there was no need of Policy between France and the United States. They need only understand one another. Rien que s'entendre.
I said that in my Youth I had often heard of the Address and Intrigues of the french Court, but I could sincerely say, I had found more Intrigue and finesse among my own Countrymen, at Paris, than among the french.
It is true said the Chev
Here and below in this entry these initials undoubtedly stand for Edward Bancroft and the elder Le Ray de Chaumont.
Suspension points in MS.