The Emperor being at supper at Paris, with Count de Vergennes, the
French minister, and discoursing of French affairs, he advised the Count
to announce a national bankruptcy, in order to clear France of all her
debts: to this he was answered---“Should such an event take place, your
Majesty’s own subjects in Brabant would lose more than eighty millions.”
“Do not let that deter you (answered Joseph,) give me half that sum, and
you shall have my assent.”
At the time of the affair with the Dutch concerning the Schelt, which
terminated so shamefully for Joseph, talking with his head gardner, the
gardner asked permission to write to Haarlem for a few slips of flowers,
which he wanted. The Emperor started from his seat; his eyes flashing
fire==“No, said he, you shall not write. Within six weeks I will fetch
them myself from Haarlem, at the head of my army.” Within that time the
affair was finished with disgrace. So positive was he of success, and so
sure always to fail.
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_For the +New-York Weekly Magazine+._
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