Knox, William (1756-1795) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05176 Author/Creator: Knox, William (1756-1795) Place Written: Dublin, Ireland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 September 1791 Pagination: 3 p. ; 22.8 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions a letter he wrote to Henry on 7 September from Cork, Ireland. Says affairs in France have taken a turn since the King accepted the constitution. He was also given a 12,000 pound yearly allowance and was allowed to retain most of his palaces. After accepting, most of the anger about his flight from Paris was forgotten. Says "vive le Roi after an interregnum of some months, is vociferated in the same notes as formerly at Paris." Says the Emperor of Germany and the King of Prussia have met to discuss the affairs of France and to give relief to King Louis. The King's recommendation to give a general pardon to refugees without exception was a made a law on a motion by Lafayette, "which has already produced the effect of changing in a considerable degree the tone of that description of persons many of whom have for some time past seen the end of their resources and consequently will return to their Native country." Says Luzerne died recently in England, and believes the situation in France contributed to his demise. Says that François-Marie, marquis de Barthélemy, is slated to be advanced to the ambassadorship. States that George Hammond has probably already arrived in America, and the Duke of Leeds used his influence to get Hammond the job. Relates that Hammond began his diplomatic career with David Hartley in Paris in 1783. Mentions family life.
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...The Affairs of France appear to take a new turn in consequence of the Kings acceptance of the Constitution, twelve hundred thousand pounds sterling a year, and returning nearly all his Palaces, with a very considerable power, were objects too interesting to refuse, and such is the versatility of the human character, that the Kings manner of accepting, has obliterated nearly all the impressions his late flight had occasioned, and vive le Roi after an interregnum of some months, is vociferated in the same notes as formerly at Paris. The Kings Brothers the Emperor of Germany, and King of Prussia, have lately had a meeting to consult on the affairs of France, and to afford relief to the King, -but as he must now say he is satisfied, their deliberations will probably produce no effect. The Kings recommending a general pardon to all the refugees without exception, has been made a Law on the motion of the late Marquis now Mr. La Fayette which has already produced the effect of changing in a considerable degree the tone of that description of persons [2] many of whom have for some time past seen the end of their resources, and consequently will return to their Native Country...
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