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Updated: July 19, 2025
When M. d'Aiguillon had ceased speaking, the chancellor in his turn took up the conversation. M. de Maupeou was by nature cold and sarcastic, delighting in annoying any person; but, on the present occasion, the ill-nature inherent in him was still excited by the decided hatred he bore to the unfortunate M. de Sartines.
This manner of speaking pleased the king; and, turning to M. de Sartines, "Lieutenant of police," said he, "you have heard my fair chancellor; you will act in strict conformity with the orders she will transmit you from me." The king comprehended my meaning.
Political affairs were at this time causing Marie Antoinette great anxiety. One of her most frequently expressed wishes had been that the French fleet should have an opportunity of engaging that of England in a pitched battle, when the judicious care which M. de Sartines had bestowed on the marine would be seen to bear its fruit.
Yet the conduct of the Jesuitical priests stated by madame Lorimer to be the principal ring-leaders in the plot, although exposed to the most rigorous scrutiny, offered not the slightest grounds for suspicion. M. de Sartines caused the private papers of the suspected parties to be opened during their owners' absence, without discovering anything which could compromise their character.
We were just then interrupted by the arrival of the marechale, and comte Jean retired. "Well, my dear," she began, "have you seen M. de Sartines, and did you speak to him respecting those 100,000 livres?" "Oh, yes," replied I, "he gave them back to me; but I have already had half of them stolen from me." "By comte Jean, I'll engage," cried she.
Unwilling, however, to incur hatred, he enveloped himself in profound mystery, so much so that nobody, with the exception of Messrs. d'Aiguillon and de Sartines, knew anything of his labors. This pleased the king, who was averse to publicity. The duc d'Aiguillon could not conceal his joy at being freed from de Broglie, his most troublesome colleague.
A good government should not follow the Jesuits' rule 'That the end consecrates the means." "Will your majesty, then, graciously allow me to dispense with a secret police?" "Well, yes. We will remain as we are, and De Sartines may keep his secret police. It would not suit us, and Berlin shall not be still further demoralized by spies and betrayers. Therefore, no more of the secret police.
"M. du Barry," was his reply, "I shall render an account of my conduct to the king." "Very well, sir," I replied, "but do not suppose that either you or the Choiseuls can give me any cause of fear." M. de Sartines was thunderstruck; my boldness astonished him. At length he said, "Madame, you are angry with me causelessly; I am more negligent than culpable. It is useless to say this to the king."
We were just then interrupted by the arrival of the marechale, and comte Jean retired. "Well, my dear," she began, "have you seen M. de Sartines, and did you speak to him respecting those 100,000 livres?" "Oh, yes," replied I, "he gave them back to me; but I have already had half of them stolen from me." "By comte Jean, I'll engage," cried she.
"You may be right; M. de Sartines was undoubtedly a sagacious police-minister," said the emperor, musingly. "His precaution is good for those who are afraid; but I am not! If I conquer my enemies, I thereby trample in the dust this vile serpent, too, that would sting me, and then would crawl as a worm at my feet. If I yield to my enemies, let the structure which I have built fall upon me.
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