three in the afternoon before
The most important one was a letter to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs , Mr. Jay , concerning the recall of Monsieur le Comte de Moustier , whose conduct had become most offensive to the American Congress , and the possible appointment of Colonel Ternant to his office . This officer had won a great European reputation as _ Generalissimo _ of one of the United Provinces , and it was even hinted that , had he been put at the head of affairs instead of the pusillanimous Rhinegrave of Salm , the cause might have been saved . All this and other details had to be communicated to Mr. Jay , and so delicate was the business that Calvert was instructed to put the letter in cipher lest it be opened and the French Government prematurely informed of the dissatisfaction felt with its representative in America . It was well on toward three in the afternoon before all the business was disposed of and Calvert had leisure to recall his engagement . When Mr. Jefferson heard of it he declared his intention of going , too , for it was ever one of his greatest pleasures to watch young people at their amusements . The carriage was ordered , and , after stopping in the rue de Richelieu for Mr. Morris , Mr. Jefferson ordered the coachman to drive to the terrace of the Jardin des Tuileries , near the Pont Royal , which particular place the fashionable world had chosen for a rendezvous from which to watch the skating upon the Seine . It was a beautiful and unusual sight that met Calvert 's eyes for the first time on that brilliant winter 's afternoon as he alighted from Mr. Jefferson 's carriage .