I have already commenced negotiations for peace, and the preliminaries are ratified.

If the French observe them as strictly as I do, and will do, then your situation will be improved; but already the French are beginning to disregard them.

The principal problem which remains to be solved is, whether the French Directory approve of Bonaparte's proceedings, and whether the latter, as appears by some papers distributed through his army, is not disposed to revolt against his country, which also seems to be probable, from his severe conduct towards Switzerland, notwithstanding the assurances of the Directory, that he had been ordered to leave the country untouched.

If this should be the case, new and innumerable difficulties may arise.

Under these circumstances I can, at present, advise nothing; for, as to myself, it is only time and the circumstances of the moment which can point out how I am to act.
There is nothing new here.