LETTER CLXXVII.--TO JOHN JAY, January 11, 1789
TO JOHN JAY.
Paris, January 11, 1789.
Sir,
My last letters were of the 14th, 19th, and 29th of November, by the way
of London. The present will go the same way, through a private channel.
All military operations in Europe seem to have been stopped, by the
excessive severity of the weather. In this country, it is unparalleled
in so early a part of the winter, and in duration, having continued
since the middle of November, during which time it has been as low as
nine degrees below nought, that is to say, forty degrees below freezing,
by Fahrenheit's thermometer; and it has increased the difficulties of
the administration here. They had, before, to struggle with the want of
money, and want of bread for the people, and now, the want of fuel for
them, and want of employment. The siege of Oczakow is still continued,
the soldiers sheltering themselves in the Russian manner, in
subterraneous barracks; and the Captain Pacha has retired with his
fleet. The death of the King of Spain has contributed, with the insanity
of the English King, to render problematical the form which the affairs
of Europe will ultimately take.
Pages:
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902
903
904
905
906
907