"If your majesty has no more skillful man to employ, I am ready to take the matter in
charge and will be responsible for the treaty without compromising anyone
persuaded that my zeal will better supplement my lack of dexterity than the dexterity
of another could replace my zeal. The Americans are as well placed as possible; army,
fleet, provisions, courage, everything is excellent; but without powder and engineers
how can they conquer or how even can they defend themselves? Are we willing to
let them perish rather than loan them one or two millions? Are we afraid of losing
the money?"
-Source: Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, letter to the King of France, 1776
I
The excerpt was most likely intended to do which of the following?
Persuade the King of France to stop supporting the American forces because it
was too costly.
Convince the French monarchy to help the Patriots in the American Revolution
Assure the French monarchy that the French colonial holdings were secure the
American colonists
Persuade the king of France to remain neutral during the Revolution