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Paris 23d. August 1813 Dear Sir You will probably have learnt before you receive this, that I have escaped the perils of the Sea, and the still greater perils of the enemy's cruisers. I arrived at L'Orient on the 11th inst, after a voyage of 23 days. On the 25th I arrived at this place, in a very bad state of health, which had confined me eight days at L'Orient. The absence of the Emperor, and of all his great officers, both civil and military, makes Paris rather dull. But it makes but little difference with me as I understand nothing that is said or done here. His absence however will postpone for a considerable time, the commission? of my discussions with this government. How long God only Knows. The war has been recommenced, and Austria has unclear her fortunes with the Combined powers. Europe has never witnessed such mighty preparations for the destruction of her sons. This cannot be less than 1,200,000 men now in a situation to assail each others stations from the bottom of the stormy Adriatic to the mouth of the Elbe. T'is said that Genl