Mount Vernon, which was much enlarged by President Washington, was by him bequeathed to Bushrod Washington, upon whose death it came into the hands of John A.
Washington, his nephew, who sold it in 1858 to the Ladies Mount Vernon Association, which holds it in trust as a national shrine._] A decided negative was therefore given to the preliminary required by these unofficial agents; but they returned to the charge with wonderful perseverance, and used unwearied arts to work upon the fears of the American ministers for their country, and for themselves.

The immense power of France was painted in glowing colours, the humiliation of the house of Austria was stated, and the conquest of Britain was confidently anticipated.

In the friendship of France alone, it was said, could America look for safety; and the fate of Venice was held up to warn her of the danger which awaited those who incurred the displeasure of the great republic.

The ministers were assured that, if they believed their conduct would be approved in the United States, they were mistaken.

The means which the Directory possessed, in that country, to excite odium against them, were great, and would unquestionably be employed.
This degrading intercourse was at length interrupted by the positive refusal of the envoys to hold any further communication with the persons employed in it.
Meanwhile, they urged the object of their mission with persevering but unavailing solicitude.