The scheme agreed upon between Mr. Morris and Lafayette in that interview at Monsieur de la Rochefoucauld’s, and which Mr. Morris proceeded to detail to Calvert, was briefly this:  It being evident that as long as the King remained in Paris he was a virtual prisoner and subject to the capricious commands of the Assembly, his ministers, and the mobs, daily increasing in numbers and lawlessness, it seemed to both Mr. Morris and Lafayette that the thing of first importance was to effect the King’s escape from the capital.  To accomplish this it was Lafayette’s suggestion that the King should go to the Assembly when affairs should be ripe for that act and announce his intention of passing a few days at one of his country residences within the limits prescribed for his free movements.  “I thought he blushed as he made this suggestion, and ’twas all I could do to keep from asking him if he intended to serve his Majesty on this occasion as he had in the St. Cloud affair,” said Mr. Morris, dryly.  “But his distress and his sincerity were so evident that I contained myself.”  The King established as far from Paris as possible, Lafayette was to arrange a manoeuvre of his troops at a point near the royal residence, and once arrived there, he was to rapidly and secretly march the trustiest of his regiments to the King’s rescue, surround the palace, and call upon the army for a new oath of fidelity to the monarch and constitution.  Rendered independent by this stroke, Louis was to issue a proclamation forbidding the allies and emigres to enter his kingdom.  Should the army flash in the pan and refuse to swear allegiance, Lafayette was, at all hazards, and with the aid of the regiments whose loyalty was beyond question, to escort the King to a place of safety beyond the border.

For the accomplishment of this plan, simple though it was, an enormous sum of money and the greatest diplomacy were necessary.  As for the money, that was easily come by; indeed, Monsieur de Monciel had already brought to Mr. Morris two hundred thousand livres contributed by the loyal adherents of His Majesty; more was promised within the next few days.  Mr. Morris consented to receive these sums, though he felt obliged to refuse the protection of the Legation to any papers relative to the matter in hand.  With such sums at their disposal it was hoped and believed by Mr. Morris and the other ardent friends of the unfortunate sovereign that enough influential members of the Assembly could be bribed to insure the King’s departure from Paris and the allegiance of those doubtful regiments upon the frontier.

“It was my suggestion, Calvert,” said Mr. Morris, “that you should be sent to test and influence those disaffected regiments, and to find a safe retreat for his Majesty in case of failure of our scheme, while we remain here to work with the members of the Assembly and watch the situation for a favorable moment to strike the blow.  It was my further suggestion that your wife should be one