Page:Dramatic Moments in American Diplomacy (1918).djvu/101

Rh a splendid corps under Marshal Victor for the main event.

Meanwhile, we had as minister in Paris one of the ablest of the galaxy of Revolutionary stars. Robert R. Livingston, of the famous New York family, was of ambassadorial calibre second to none. He began to suspect this transfer. He knew at all events that some dangerous intrigue was in the air. He wrote to James Madison, Secretary of State, on January 13, 1802:

"By the secrecy and duplicity practised relative to this object, it is clear to me that they apprehend some opposition on the part of America to their plans.

"There never was a government where less could be done by negotiations than here. There are no people, no legislature, no counsellors. One man is everything. * * * He seldom asks advice and never hears it unasked. His ministers are mere clerks, and his legislature and counsellors parade officers."

There it is. Historically it is small wonder