Dumouriez was sent to Poland on the same errand that had before despatched him to Portugal.

His mission, half diplomatic, half military, was, in consequence of a secret idea of the king, approved by his confidant, the Count de Broglie, and by Favier, the count's adviser.
It was at the moment when Poland, menaced and half-occupied by the Russians, devoured by Prussia, forsaken by Austria, was attempting some ill-considered movements, in order to repair its scattered limbs, and to dispute, at least, in fragments, its nationality with its oppressors--the last sigh of liberty which moved the corpse of a people.
The king, who feared to come into collision with the Empress of Russia, Catherine, to give excuses to the hostilities of Frederic and umbrage to the court of Vienna, was still desirous of extending to expiring Poland the hand of France; but concealing that hand, and reserving to himself the power even to cut it off, if it became necessary.

Dumouriez was the intermediary selected for this part; the secret minister of France, amongst the Polish confederates; a general, if necessary--but a general adventurer and disowned--to rally and direct their efforts.
The Duc de Choiseul, indignant at the debasement of France, was secretly preparing war against Prussia and England.

This powerful diversion in Poland was necessary for his plan of campaign, and he gave his confidential instructions to Dumouriez; but, thrown out of the administration by the intrigues of Madame Du Barry and M.d'Argenson, the Duc de Choiseul was suddenly exiled to Versailles before Dumouriez reached Poland.

The policy of France, changing with the minister, at once destroyed Dumouriez's plans.