six in the morning
Fortunate it was for all alike , that none could see the ending of that terrible business about to be set afoot . In all the brilliant weather of that spring of 1789 , no fairer day dawned than that great day of Monday , the 4th of May . By earliest morning the whole world of Paris seemed to be taking its way to Versailles . Mr. Jefferson , having presented Calvert with the billet reserved for Mr. Short -LRB- the secretary being absent at The Hague -RRB- , and Mr. Morris being provided for through the courtesy of the Duchesse d'Orléans , the three gentlemen left the Legation at six in the morning in Mr. Jefferson 's coach . The grand route to Versailles was thronged with carriages and vehicles of every description , and the dust , heat , and confusion were indescribable . On their arrival , which was about eight o'clock , being hungry and thirsty , the gentlemen repaired to a café , where they had an indifferent breakfast at a table d'hôte , about which were seated several gloomy-looking members of the tiers . After the hasty meal they made their way as quickly as possible to the hôtel of Madame de Tessé in the rue Dauphine , where they were awaited .