St. George Tucker letter to John Page, 1797 June 23

1 item ([4] pages)

St. George Tucker letter to John Page, 1797 June 23 concerning American relations with France. Tucker mentions Napoleion, the Directory, and John Marshall's involvement in diplomatic negotiations with the French. Tucker also extends an invitiation to Page to visit him on the Fourth of July.

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Williamsburg, June 23. 1797.

My dear Page,

I returned yesterday from Richmond, & meeting
Oliver in the street, avail myself lf the Opportunity of
thanking you for your's of the 14th. which I found in my Desk.
I rejoice with you most sincerely that there is hope that
America will not again "be conquered in Germany"; for
sure I am there was danger of such an Event, until the Gallic
Caesar had made the Court of Vienna tremble at his approach.
In Richmond, where I arrived about the time that these
Successes, & the meeting in the British Navy were first
known, all was peace & harmony. I did not hear a single
denunciation against the Executive directory of France
though I dined with at least fifty Anglo-American patriots
at the Eagle on the Occasion of Marshal's intended departure.
I had much Conversation with him, & am happy to tell you that of
all the to'ther side Men that I know he appears to me to preserve
the best disposition to conciliate & to preserve our pacific
relations with France; & that I flatter myself that by the
time he receives his Instructions, the political Thermometer
will in consequence of late Events sink down to temperate,
or at least to summer heat ; like the natural Atmosphere of
last saturday it had risen above blood heat ; but as the
latter was changed in a few hours by the Approach of
an Electrical Cloud, so I am in hopes that the former
will undergo a similar change from the causes just
mentioned. If I were at home, I would send you a paper
which contains the Account of the Mutiny, & the Certainty that a
peace has been concluded between Austria & France.

Tuesday sennight is the fourth of July I wish you would
come over not that I can promise you any particular
Gratification, but that Our friend Nelson, & some others
may

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may be then expected here bring over with you the wheel of fortune &c.
I feel a great disposition to appeal from Mr. W-'s Judgement to
that of the public, & print it. My Wife, who is never very well,
requested me whenever I should write to present her with great
regard to you & Mrs. Page. I have not seen her since meeting
with Oliver. Adieu offer my sincerest good wishes to Mrs. Page &
your little folks, & believe me, ever most truly
your friend
S.G. Tucker.

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SGT

John Page esquire
Rosewell.

Ink on paper