I think this will be agreed to. The delays of office
first, then the illness of Monsieur de Colonne, and lastly, his removal
and the throng of business occasioned by the _Assemblee des Notables_,
have prevented the reducing the substance of the letter into the form
of an _Arret_, as yet though I have continued soliciting it as much
as circumstances would bear. I am now promised that it shall be done
immediately, and it shall be so far retrospective to the date of the
letter, as that all duties paid since that, shall be refunded.
The new accessions of the ministry are valued here. Good is hoped from
the Archbishop of Toulouse, who succeeds the Count de Vergennes as _Chef
du Conseil de finance_. Monsieur de Villedeuil, the Comptroller General,
has been approved by the public, in the offices he has heretofore
exercised. The Duke de Nivernois, called to the Council, is reckoned
a good and able man; and Monsieur de Malesherbes, called also to the
Council, is unquestionably the first character in the kingdom, for
integrity, patriotism, knowledge, and experience in business. There is a
fear that the Marechal de Castries is disposed to retire.
Pages:
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377