Littlepage, who was here as a secret agent for the King of Poland,
rather overreached himself. He wanted more money. The King furnished it,
more than once. Still he wanted more, and thought to obtain a high bid,
by saying he was called for in America, and asking leave to go there.
Contrary to his expectation, he received leave; but he went to Warsaw
instead of America, and from thence, to join the * * * * I do not know
[* Several paragraphs of this letter are in cipher, A few
words here could not be deciphered.]
these facts certainly, but collect them, by putting several things
together. The King then sent an ancient secretary here, in whom he had
much confidence, to look out for a correspondent, a mere letter-writer
for him. A happy hazard threw Mazzei in his way. He recommended him,
and he is appointed. He has no diplomatic character whatever, but is to
receive eight thousand livres a year, as an intelligencer. I hope
this employment may have some permanence. The danger is, that he will
over-act his part.
The Marquis de la Luzerne had been for many years married to his
brother's wife's sister, secretly.
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