St. James's Square, June 25th, 1791.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
The enclosed, which I received this morning from Lord Gower, will
inform you of the very unexpected event which has happened at
Paris. As the messenger came through Calais, he heard a report,
which was circulated with much confidence, that the King, &c., had
been stopped at a place which he calls Quinault, and which I guess
to be Quenoy in the Cambresis, if, indeed, there is any foundation
at all for the story. Montmorin is to write to Lucerne, to make a
communication here from the National Assembly, of _their_ intention
to maintain peace with other countries. We have, of course, not had
time to consider what answer to give, or what steps to take.
One of the French papers contains an account of a party of
travellers passing through Senlis about four or five in the same
morning, which evidently appears to have been the King and his
suite. This account was read at the Assembly; and confirms the idea
of their having taken the route of the Netherlands.
You will have the goodness to communicate this letter and its
enclosure, to Lord Camelford.
Ever most affectionately yours,
G.
Tell me what Lord Camelford and you think we ought to do; as it is
very possible we may not have taken our determination before I can
receive your answer.
The story was, of course, doubted at first. But it turned out to be true
in every particular except the name of the place, which was Varennes.
The royal fugitives were seized on the 22nd of June, and carried back to
Paris to be confronted with the Provisional Executive Council that had
been established as soon as their flight was known.