Page:A French Volunteer of the War of Independence.djvu/220

196 ness" (that is the exact word which the envoys used in their public report to Congress) so much to M. R—— de St. F——, for his part in the negotiations, and so much for "incidental expenses," by which term Madame l’Ambassadrice probably designated her own share of the plunder.

In short, the ambassadors returned with all their evidences and documents—but no money. I was present at the memorable sitting of Congress when one of the envoys read the report he had prepared. There was a mention in it of Citizen Talleyrand, which it is to be hoped he read in the newspapers of the day.

"This man," said the orator, "to whom we have shown the kindest hospitality, is now the Minister of the French Government, and to him we presented ourselves to demand justice. And this guest without gratitude, this Bishop who has renounced his God, was not ashamed to rob us of 50,000 livres;—50,000 livres which went to support his vices!"

I said to myself, "Good, easy people, they are worthy of their country; an Eng-