M. X. again called upon us. He said M. Talleyrand was
extremely anxious to be of service to us, and had requested
that one more effort should be made to induce us to enable
him to be so. A great deal of the same conversation which
had passed at our former interviews was repeated. He said
that, without this money, we should be obliged to quit
Paris; and that we ought to consider the consequences: the
property of the Americans would be confiscated, and their
vessels in port embargoed. We told him that, unless there
was a hope of a real reconciliation, these evils could not
be prevented by us; and the little delay that we might
obtain would only increase them; that our mission had
induced many of our countrymen to trust their vessels in
the ports of France; and if we remained at Paris, that very
circumstance would increase their number; and,
consequently, the injury which our countrymen would
sustain, if France could permit herself so to violate her
own engagements and the laws of nations. He expressed a
wish, that M. Y. should see us once more. We told him that
a visit from M. Y., as a private gentleman, would always be
agreeable to us; but if he came only with the expectation
that we should stipulate advances of money, without
previously establishing a solid and permanent
reconciliation, he might save himself the trouble of the
application, because it was a subject we had considered
maturely, and on which we were immovable. He parted with
us, saying, if that was the case, it would not be worth
while for M. Y. to come. In the evening, while General
Pinckney and General Marshall were absent, M. Y. and M. X.
called, and were invited by Mr. Gerry to breakfast with us
the next morning.