Our own people have been imprudent, as I think, and are now smarting under the effects of their indiscretion; but this, instead of a consolation, is an aggravation of our misfortune.

Mr.Genet has been abusive on the President [Washington] and all his ministers, beyond all measure of decency or obligations of truth, and in other respects, not yet publicly investigated, his conduct has been such as to make it difficult to know what to do with him.

* * * * * The news of this evening is, that the Queen of France is no more.
[Footnote: Marie Antoinette was beheaded in Paris, on the 16th of October, 1773.] When will savages be satiated with blood?
No prospect of peace in Europe, and therefore none of internal harmony in America.

We cannot well be in a more disagreeable situation than we are with all Europe, with all Indians, and with all Barbary rovers.

Nearly one half of the Continent is in constant opposition to the other, and the President's situation, which is highly responsible, is very distressing." It taxed the wisdom and skill of Mr.Jefferson, then Secretary of State, to counteract the influence of the French Minister, and prevent citizens of the United States from committing overt acts against the Allied Sovereigns, and embroiling the Union in a foreign war.