The Letters

The correspondence of Katherine Morris and Eugenia Lewis:

April 23, 1793
43 Rue de Mountaine, Paris, France

My dearest friend Eugenia,

Forgive the tardiness in my reply, I did not receive your letter until
shortly after Easter. Since the January 21 death of Louis XVI and
France's declaration of war on Britain, Spain and Holland mail has
slowed considerably. Many of our correspondences have reached us only through father's extensive shipping contacts. Your letter arrived
through the effort of Captain Mayhew who sails under the American flag, buying him some measure of freedom from French inspections. I have entrusted this letter to him, in the hopes that it will reach you soon.

It was with great sadness that I read the melancholy information of the
death of your father. Would that my prayers and condolences could fly to you on the wings of birds, far above the terror of war and revolution that even now extends it grip over Europe. My dearest Eugenia if you and Stephen need anything at all, you must write. Father, too, sends his sorrow at the news of Sir Daniel's death. Remember our mutual friends in Liverpool. They will offer you any help that you may require.

I wish that I could speak these words of sympathy to you in person, but I fear we will not be leaving Paris any time soon. The situation here degrades daily. It is as if all of Paris is gripped in fever of blood
and death. Louis and Marie's death did not satiate the blood lust of La
Revolucion, but has instead sparked a frenzy. There is now a daily
tragic parade of death at La Guillotine. Father has forbidden me from
going outside without taking at least two strong men from the house with me. While we enjoy some protection, being Americans, the Paris mob does not stop to ask nationality when they attack you. Anything can spark the mob into an attack. Last week, Madame G. - whose family has done so many charity works to helps those poorest of souls - was stoned almost to death by a crowd of sans culottes. The attack was set off by Madame G.'s perfume, you remember how she loves to wear that heavy scent. Someone muttered that she "smells of the noblesse" and the crowd, hungry for revenge or death or to invoke pain on someone went crazy. All of her good works did not help her. Had not Father Jacques stepped in, Madame would have lost her life. Father Jacques is much respected by the mobs of Paris, having devoted his life to helping the poor. He was able to get the poor woman inside and diffuse the anger of the mob. But I fear even for Father Jacques. There is very little that can control the mobs of Paris today. Fear permeates the city.

Even father is worried. I think he would send me away, but he needs me here now more than ever. There is so much to do. It has taken all of father's calm words and diplomatic artistry to deal with Robespierre and the Committee. Hamilton has suspended the repayment of America's loan from France. France needs the money, but father agrees with Hamilton, this bloody mob is not a government and it should not be treated as one.

Still, there are many in America who support the ideals of the
Revolution if not its exact implementation. Father has repeated
Washington's words of neutrality in this current war, but the French
have pushed and now have sent Edmund Genet as the French Minister to the United States. He left several months ago from Calais. From our last information, he should now have arrived in America. Father has urged Uncle Robert to advocate caution in dealing with the man. He fears that Genet's good looks and charm may win over many to France's side. But I think that even Jefferson will bore of the man. Genet may cut a dashing figure, but he is of no substance. It would be an ill bargain to trust his words.

With father's time consumed with diplomatic maneuvers, I have taken over the majority of our other correspondences. It has gotten increasingly difficult to get reliable information. Still I can occasionally find answers in surprising locations. However, this additional work has cut into the time I can work on my experiments. Shortages of supplies and an increasing number of questions, have made it difficult to get even the most innocuous items. I fear that it may be several months before K Schuyler can get another paper published. I fear Stephen will pull ahead in our competition. I beg you to not let him get to cocky about this. Remind him it is a Revolution that prevents me from disproving his latest theory not any lack of ability on my part.

I wish you well my dearest friend. My prayers go to you and Stephen in this your time of need. Write soon.

Always your friend,
Katherine