William Rotch
Memorandum, Continued...
part 9
We next proceeded to the several other Ministers at Versailles,
five in number. First to Calone Comptroller of Finance -- We gave
our reasons for not taking off our hats on introduction, to them all --
Calone replied, "I care nothing about your hats, if your hearts are
right" -- Next, to the aged Vergennes, Minister of Foreign Affairs
-- Then to the Marshall DeCastre Minister of Marine -- To the
Prince of Reubec Generalissimo of Flanders -- and last to -- the
Intendant of Flanders, who all agreed to my proposals.
We then returned to Paris, and were to visit Versailles again, to
take leave, according to the Etiquette of the Court. Before we set
off one of the Ministers asked us if we did not wish to see the
Palace. We excused ourselves, as we did not think curiosity would
justify us, if our plain way would give any offence. While we
remained in Paris we received a note, saying the Minister had spoken
to the King who gave full liberty for the Nantucket Friends (avoid-
ing the name of Quakers when they found that It was given us in
reproach) to visit the Palace, both its public and private apartments,
when he was out (which was almost every day).
To view the private Apartments was a great indulgence, not
often granted except to persons of note. But unfavorably for us,
the King did not happen to be out on the day we went to take
leave, which was a disappointment, but we went through the public
Apartments, and into the Chapel. When we hesitated at the latter,
the Officer insisted on our entering in our own way, showing us
every thing remarkable, and pointing out the places occupied by
the Royal Family in time of Mass, &e --
We now took leave and returned to London.
After I was gone to France Lord Hawksbury became alarmed,
and enquired of Harry Beaufoy if I was gone to France -- He
answered in the affirmative -- "Why is he gone there?" -- "For what
you or any other person would have gone -- You would not make
him an offer worth his acceptance -- He will now try what can be
done in France."
Alexander Champion wrote to me, I suppose at
Lord Hawksbury’s request, to inform me that he had made pro-
vision in his Fishery bill for us, and inserted liberty to bring in
Forty Ships, instead of Thirty which I demanded, he having for--
gotten the number, but it was too late.
This letter was brought to our Apartments, and we understood
the bearer to enquire, if a Dutch Gentleman resided there -- He was
answered in the negative, and my letter was lodged in a small letter
Office, always an Appendage to the large Hotels. The very evening
we left Paris it was brought to me.
We now returned to London, and I was soon sent for by George
Rose (I suppose father of the Minister lately sent to the United
States) who was one of Pitt’s Secretaries. He enquired if I had con-
tracted with France -- I told him, no -- I did not come to make any
Contract. Propositions were the extent of my business -- "You are
then at liberty to agree with us -- and I am authorized by Mr. Pitt
to tell you that you shall make your own terms."
I told him it was too late -- "I made very moderate proposals to
you, but could not obtain anything worth my notice -- I went to
France, sent forward my proposals, which were doubly advan-
tageous to what I had offered your Government -- They considered
them but a short time, and on my arrival in Paris were ready to act.
I had a separate Interview with all the Ministers of State necessary
to the subject (five in number) who all agreed to, and granted my
demands. This was effected in five hours, when I had waited to
be called by your Privy Council more than four months."
He still insisted that as I was not bound to France, I should make my own
terms with them, but all in vain -- the time had passed over. Lord
Sheffield also sent for me on the same subject, but was soon con-
vinced that it was too late. The minority came to me for materials
to attack Lord Hawksbury, but I refused.
I now began to prepare for returning to my family. According-
ly I bought a good ship and, with William Mooers Master, we left
the Downs the 11th of 10 month 1786 -- After a tremendous pass-
age of Sixty Eight days, in which we had twelve heavy storms, we
arrived in Boston, and by way of Providence and Newport reached
my own home on the 1st of 1st month 1787, and to my unspeakable
comfort found now family well after an absence of Eighteen Months.
We next prepared to increase our Fishery in Dunkirk, and my
Son Benjamin returned there, to superintend the Business, he having
become a partner with my son in law Samuel Rodman & my-
self.
After remaining at home nearly four Years, I thought it best to
make another voyage, to assist my Son in our business at Dunkirk
-- And not expecting to return in less than three Years, a term too
long to be separated from my family, I proposed to my Wife to go
with me, and take our Daughters Lydia & Mary with us, to which
she consented -- and we also took with us my Son Benjamin’s Wife
and Child.
We sailed from New Bedford in the Ship Maria & Eliza, which I
bought for the purpose, Abisha Haydon Master, on the 29th of 7th
month 1790. We arrived at Dunkirk in Thirty Eight days, and found
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