Chapter 21:
France has need of peace.1780, 1781.
‘England,’ said Vergennes, ‘has declared warChap. XXI.} 1780. |
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against the Netherlands from hatred of their accession to the neutrality.
The more I reflect, the more I am perplexed to know whether we ought to be glad or sorry.’1 A new obstacle was created to the general peace for which we must now trace the negotiations.
Spain had calculated every thing for a single campaign.2 The invasion of England having failed, the querulous King Charles, after but seven months of hostilities, complained ‘that France had brought Spain into the war for its own interests alone;3 and had caused the first mishaps’ to his flag.4 Florida Blanca, speaking to the French ambassador, called himself a great fool for having induced his king to the declaration against England.
With regard to
Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1874.
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