HOLF Players' Guild Forum

Once again our intrepid agents have received secret communications from European foreign offices. First, a message from the Dutch to Citizen Lebrun:

Excellency,

On the subject of a conspiracy against Holland, the general consensus appears to be that this is no more than a French scare tactic to push our policy in a French direction. If you have proof of such a conspiracy I implore you to offer it.

By now you have seen that my government has signed a treaty of friendship with London. Most appear to interpret this as a pro-British leaning in my government. Let me assure you that the Dutch Court will follow its own path and we have differences in policy with Britain. We also realize that London is far away and we share a long border with your country. I would suggest that we do not delay in signing a similar treaty between our two governments. As I noted earlier, we are not prepared to enter into an alliance with any government as this time.

Your Humble Servant,
Jan Van Rijn
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Holland

Minister Lebrun's Response to the Dutch:

Excellency:

The world believes you to have played the coquette and courted England into your bedchamber.
Now you must ready yourself as England gives you what a powerful suitor is entitled to.
We French have a knowledge of such things and recommend plenty of lubrication.

You have chosen for "friendship" the nation who is avowed to destroy the government of France.

We should now rush to you with opened arms to embrace you?

Nay, you have been "used" by England . . . you are not worthy of France.

Someday hence, when the coquette has become nothing more than a painted whore
you will perhaps offer yourself eagerly to another for a lesser price - and you will speak English, too!

Il est fini!

Pierre Henri Hélène Marie Lebrun-Tondu
Le Ministre des Affaires Etrangeres
Quai de Orsay
Paris

Citizen Lebrun