248 MIMS— DIARY OF A VOYAGE [April is, 



who found a temporary refuge in " the ark of Noah," as Phila- 

 delphia was happily called by one of them, the diary contains some 

 "important data. Moreau's farst meeting with Talleyrand in America 

 is recorded under the date of May 22: 



"After the end of the session of Congress, I was on my way with my 

 two companions [Goynard and his son] to see the executive mansion which 

 was in the course of construction, . . . when I noticed that in a stage which 

 approached rapidly there were two men waving their hands at us. . . . One 

 of them jumped to the ground and ran to throw himself in my arms. It 

 was Beaumetz. The other, less agile, climbed down from the stage. It 

 proved to be Talleyrand. Both of them had just arrived from England. 

 What joy! What happiness! How many repeated embraces! . . . They in- 

 vited me to dine with them. I went at once to break the good news to my 

 home and then rejoined them. What a glorious dinner it was! .How many 

 things we had to tell one another after two years of separation ! After 

 dinner we all went to see Blacon, the comte de Noailles and Talon. New 

 surprises and new rejoicings! During our reunion a hail and thunder storm 

 raged outside as though heaven wished to recall to our minds the misfortunes 

 from which we had escaped in our own country." 



From this date forward it is easy to trace in the diary the inti- 

 mate relations which were established between Moreau and Talley- 

 rand. Here is an entry to tell us that they have dined together, 

 there, another to describe an evening together, or yet another to 

 describe a little group with Talleyrand in their midst to listen to 

 Moreau read from the yet unpublished manuscript of " La Danse " 

 or of his description of St. Domingo. When the two were sepa- 

 rated, the diary indicates a constant exchange of notes and of 

 letters. In regard to this, it may be interesting to note in passing, 

 the diary contains no less than seventeen notes and letters from the 

 hand of Talleyrand to his " chcr maitre/' as he came to call Moreau 

 in affectionate terms. When Talleyrand was at Philadelphia their 

 relations became most intimate. Moreau's own words must tell the 

 story : 



" No words could express adequately the nature of my liaison with 

 Talleyrand. Every day, after his return to Philadelphia in the month of 

 October, 1795 to June 11, 1796 [the date of Talleyrand's departure for 

 Europe], he came to my office at eight in the evening. There alone (except 

 when Beaumetz, Talon, Blacon, de Noailles, Volney or some others came 

 also) we opened our hearts to one another and shared one another's deepest 

 feelings. We told our most intimate secrets. Thus we passed our time 



