My resolution thus taken, I lost no time in repairing to Commercy.
The very first conversations with the Chevalier answered in no
degree my expectations; and I assure you, with great truth, that I
began even then, if not to repent of my own rashness, yet to be
fully convinced both of yours and mine.

He talked to me like a man who expected every moment to set out for
England or Scotland, but who did not very well know for which. And
when he entered into the particulars of his affairs I found that
concerning the former he had nothing more circumstantial nor
positive to go upon than what I had already heard. The advices
which were sent from thence contained such assurances of success as
it was hard to think that men who did not go upon the surest grounds
would presume to give. But then these assurances were general, and
the authority seldom satisfactory. Those which came from the best
hands were verbal, and often conveyed by very doubtful messengers;
others came from men whose fortunes were as desperate as their
counsels; and others came from persons whose situation in the world
gave little reason to attend to their judgment in matters of this
kind.

The Duke of Ormond had been for some time, I cannot say how long,
engaged with the Chevalier. He had taken the direction of this
whole affair, as far as it related to England, upon himself, and had
received a commission for this purpose, which contained the most
ample powers that could be given. After this, one would be apt to
imagine that the principles on which the Pretender should proceed,
and the Tories engage, in this service had been laid down; that a
regular and certain method of correspondence had been established;
that the necessary assistances had been specified; and that positive