After some public delays which have tryed my patience, I at length
resolved to wait no longer for the Budget. I set forwards Monday,
and hope to breakfast at Calais Tuesday and to dine at Paris either
Friday or Saturday; the alternative depends on my stepping out of my
way to Lisle. You may be assured of receiving immediate notice of my
effecting my landing on the Continent.
I am, Dear Madam,
Most truly yours,
E. G.
You will find Fleet Street instructed to obey your Midsummer Order.
314.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Dover, Tuesday evening, May 6th, 1777.
*My expedition does not begin very auspiciously. The wind, Which
for some days had been fair, paid me the compliment of changing
on my arrival; and, though I immediately secured a vessel, it has
been impossible to make the least use of it during the whole course
of this tedious day. It seems doubtful, whether I shall get out
to-morrow morning; and the Captain assures me, that the passage will
have the double advantage of being both long and rough. Last night
a small Privateer, fitted out at Dunkirk, with a commission from
Dr. Franklin, attacked, took, and has carried into Dunkirk road, the
Harwich Pacquet.[360] The King's Messenger had just time to throw
his dispatches overboard: he passed through this town about four
o'clock this afternoon, in his return to London. As the alarm is now
given, our American friend will probably remain quiet, or will be
soon caught; so that I have not _much_ apprehension for my personal
safety; but if so daring an outrage is not followed by punishment and
restitution, it may become a very serious business, and may possibly
shorten my stay at Paris.
Adieu. I shall write by the first opportunity, either from Calais
or Philadelphia.* I wrote last Friday to Hugonin, and announced an
Epistle of instructions from you. I embrace My lady. Did your Lord
and Colonel disappoint you?
[360] The _Prince of Orange_, packet from Harwich to Helvetsluys,
was captured by the _Surprise_, an American privateer commanded
by Captain Cunningham, carrying four guns and ten swivels.
315.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Calais, Wednesday, May the 7th, 1777.
*_Post nubila Phœbus._ A pleasant passage, an excellent house, a good
dinner with Lord Coleraine, whom I found here. Easy Custom-house
Officers, fine Weather, &c. I am detained to-night by the temptation
of a French Comedy, in a Theatre at the end of Dessaint's Garden;
but shall be in motion to-morrow early, and hope to dine at Paris
Saturday. Adieu. I think I am a punctual Correspondent; but this
beginning is too good to last.*
[Sidenote: PLEASURES AND OCCUPATIONS IN PARIS.]
316.
_To his Stepmother._
Calais, May the 7th, 1777.