To John Jay from Rufus King, 9 September 1797
From Rufus King
[London Sep. 9. 1797]
Dear Sir
What we know of the negotiations between france Austria and England, gives little encouragement to hope that their issue will be pacific— The internal Situation of france is alarming; instead of a Reconciliation between the Directory & the Councils, the breach appears to grow wider— Both sides court the Armies, and a civil war seems to be organizing itself— I send you a posthumous work of Mr. Burke’s1—likewise the copy of Lord Malmesburys first negotiation—2 The result of the second shall be likewise forwarded as soon as it is public— I wish I could say that I had any expectation that it will Differ from the former— very truly and respectfully I have the honor to be D. Sir, Yr. Ob. ser
Rufus King
J. Jay Esqr.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 11466). Endorsed: “… and. 14 nov / 1797”.
1. Edmund Burke’s Three memorials on French affairs, written in the years 1791, 1792, and 1793 (London, 1797).
2. For the publication on Lord Malmesbury’s negotiations, see RK to JJ, 10 Jan. 1797, note 5, above.