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64 brought back and very ignominiously treated; even his papers examined, as it is said, by him. They (he and the British Ambassador) can't get passports. He is in a tearing passion. He has burned his papers, which I will not do."

To Thomas Jefferson he writes:

"The different ambassadors are all taking flight, and if I stay I shall be alone. I mean, however, to stay. * * * It is true that the position is not without danger, but I presume that when the President did me the honour of naming me to this embassy it was not for my personal pleasure or safety, but to promote the interests of my country."

A letter to his brother, General Morris, in London, says:

"The date of this letter will show you that I did not, as you hoped, abandon my post, which is not always a very proper conduct. * * * You are right in the idea that Paris is a dangerous residence. But it is better that my friends should wonder why I stay than my enemies inquire why I went away."