as Otto was then, early in
September, 1793, Secretary in the Foreign Office, and Barere
a fellow-terrorist of Bourdon, there could be no accusation
based on an interview which, had it been probed, would have
put Paine's enemies to confusion. It is doubtful, however,
if Paine was right in his conjecture. The reference of
Bourdon was probably to the collusion between Paine and
Genet suggested by Morris.

Paine was thus lodged in prison simply to please Washington, to whom
it was left to decide whether he had been rightly represented by his
Minister in the case. When the large number of Americans in Paris
hastened in a body to the Convention to demand his release, the
President (Vadier) extolled Paine, but said his birth in England brought
him under the measures of safety, and referred them to the Committees.
There they were told that "their reclamation was only the act of
individuals, without any authority from the American Government."
Unfortunately the American petitioners, not understanding by this a
reference to the President, unsuspiciously repaired to Morris, as
also did Paine by letter. The Minister pretended compliance, thereby
preventing their direct appeal to the President. Knowing, however, that
America would never agree that nativity under the British flag made
Paine any more than other Americans a citizen of England, the American
Minister came from Sain-port, where he resided, to Paris, and secured
from the obedient Deforgues a certificate that he had reclaimed Paine
as an American citizen, but that he was held as a _French_ citizen.
This ingeniously prepared certificate which was sent to the Secretary
of State (Jefferson), and Morris's pretended "reclamation," _which was
never sent to America_, are translated in my "Life of Paine," and here
given in the original.

A Paris le 14 fevrier 1794, 26 pluviose.

Le Minisire plenipotentiaire des Etats Unis de l'Amerique pres la
Republique francaise au Ministre des Affaires Etrangeres.

Monsieur:

Thomas Paine vient de s'adresser a moi pour que je le reclame comme
Citoyen des Etats Unis. Voici (je crois) les Faits que le regardent. Il
est ne en Angleterre. Devenu ensuite Citoyen des Etats Unis il s'y
est acquise une grande celebrite par des Ecrits revolutionnaires. En
consequence il fut adopte Citoyen francais et ensuite elu membre de la
Convention. Sa conduite depuis cette epoque n'est pas de mon ressort.
J'ignore la caus