MINISTER TO FRANCE.                 293
authorities both feared and disliked Morris ; he
could neither be flattered nor bullied, and he
was known to disapprove of their excesses.
They also took umbrage at his haughtiness ; an
unfortunate expression he used in one of his
official letters to them, " ma cour," gave great
offense, as being unrepublican — precisely as
they had previously objected to Washington's
using the phrase " your people " in writing to
the king.
Washington wrote him a letter warmly ap-
proving of his past conduct. Nevertheless
Morris was not over-pleased at being recalled.
He thought that, as things then were in France,
any minister who gave satisfaction to its gov-
ernment would prove forgetful of the interests
of America. He was probably right; at any
rate, what he feared was just what happened
under his successor, Monroe — a very amiable
gentleman, but distinctly one who comes in the
category of those whose greatness is thrust upon
them. However, under the circumstances, it
was probably impossible for our government to
avoid recalling Morris.-
He could say truthfully : " I have the conso-
lation to have made no sacrifice either of per-
sonal or national dignity, and I believe I should
have obtained everything if the American gov-
ernment had refused to recall me."    His ser-