and their cause were very
respectable in the eyes of all disinterested persons, and that the
interview had been agreeable.

After this I returned to Paris with M. Dubourg, whose zeal for the
American cause led him to draw the most favorable consequences from
this beginning. The next day while from home I was informed that Count
Laureguais had inquired out my lodgings, immediately after which he
asked leave to go for England, which was refused him by the court. The
same day I was informed that Sir Hans Stanley and Sir Charles
Jenkinson, who I knew were at Bordeaux when I left it, were in France,
for the sole purpose of inquiring what agents were here from the
Colonies, and what commerce or other negotiation between them and the
Colonies was carrying on. This alarmed my friends, and as I had agreed
for other lodgings, to which I was next day to remove, M. Dubourg
advised me to secrete both my lodgings and name. I told him that the
Count Laureguais' conduct appeared mysterious, yet I could never think
of keeping myself secret, for though I should not seek these
gentlemen, nor throw myself purposely in their way, yet I must think
it an ill compliment to count Vergennes, to suppose after what had
passed, that I was not on as good and safe footing in France, as they
or any other gentleman could be. However, his uneasiness made him
write to the Count what he had advised, who returned for answer, that
such a step was both unnecessary and impolitic, as it would only
strengthen suspicions by giving every thing an air of mystery, while
there was not the least occasion for it.

The next day I had a fresh conference with M. Dubourg, who brought me
a number of memorials from officers and engineers offering their
services in America; some of whom, I believe, deserve the utmost
encouragement; but more of this hereafter. While I was casting in my
mind, how best to improve the present favorable crisis for supplying
the Colonies, Monsieur Beaumarchais made proposals for procuring
whatever should be wanted, but in such a manner as was understood by
M. Dubourg to amount to a monopoly, which indeed was not his only
objection, for Monsieur Beaumarchais, though confessedly a man of
abilities, had always been a man of pleasure and never of business;
but as he was recommended by Count Vergennes, M. Dubourg could not
avoid noticing him, but immediately expostulated with the Count in a
letter, which brought on embarrassments no way favorable, an