When he began to let
his hand fall rather heavily upon financiers, I perceived he did not
begin his operation in a favorable moment, but he had my warmest
wishes for his success; and as soon as I heard he was displaced I
wrote to him, in my intrepid, heedless manner, the following letter,
which I certainly do not undertake to justify.
MONTMORENCY, 2d December, 1769.
"Vouchsafe, sir, to receive the homage of a solitary man, who is not
known to you, but who esteems you for your talents, respects you for
your administration, and who did you the honor to believe you would
not long remain in it. Unable to save the State, except at the expense
of the capital by which it has been ruined, you have braved the
clamors of the gainers of money. When I saw you crush these
wretches, I envied you your place; and at seeing you quit it without
departing from your system, I admire you. Be satisfied with
yourself, sir; the step you have taken will leave you an honor you
will long enjoy without a competitor. The malediction of knaves is the
glory of an honest man."
Madam de Luxembourg, who knew I had written this letter, spoke to me
of it when she came into the country at Easter. I showed it to her and
she was desirous of a copy; this I gave her, but when I did it I did
not know she was interested in under-farms, and the displacing of M.
de Silhouette. By my numerous follies any person would have imagined I
willfully endeavored to bring on myself the hatred of an amiable woman
who had power, and to whom, in truth, I daily became more attached,
and was far from wishing to occasion her displeasure, although by my
awkward manner of proceeding, I did everything proper for that
purpose.
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