5146. MAZZEI (Philip), King of Poland and.—
The King of Poland sent an
ancient Secretary here [Paris], * * * to look
out for a correspondent, a mere letter writer for
him. A happy hazard threw Mazzei in his
way, * * * and he is appointed. He has no
diplomatic character whatever, but is to receive
eight thousand livres a year, as an intelligencer.
I hope this employment may have some permanence.
The danger is that he will overact
his part.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. ii, 444.
Ford ed., v, 44.
(P.
1788)