1823 - Cut the Thread

Unto the Most Honorable Second Marquis Desmarais,

We were most disheartened to receive word of the death of your sire, the First Marquis Desmarais.  Our memories of that great Lord, and the respect we bear both him and his line, will live forever even though he is sadly lost.

We recall the years of your youth and your introduction to the Invictus and it was our honor to stand beside your sire at your time of manumission.  Though we have not been to Versailles, and Paris, in seventy-four years, we are gratified to know that you have continued to flourish there.  In your letter, sent earlier this year by courier, you wrote of assets at the palace and some measure of control over the Chamberlain of the King.  We know it can be difficult to stand tall in the shadow of an elder and you are to be congratulated for achieving so much.

It had not been our intention to respond to your request for political assistance at all.  However, our great respect for your sire, and for you, has led us to reply.  Furthermore, your sire died while still in a state of trivial prestation with us.  Despite our inability to provide the assistance you require,we hope this letter will resolve our obligation adequately.

There exists, in this country right now, an animus against enhanced interaction with other sovereign nations.  Its ruler, the President James Monroe, has recently offered a personal doctrine to the nation which has been readily accepted by its citizens.  He has promised them that there will be no attempts at colonization, nor any peaceful acceptance of related actions by outsiders.  We of House Quinn have supported this most vocally; we feel it is in keeping with the finest principles of the Invictus.  The first and greatest respect is self-respect, and we feel that this American Experiment, the desire to create a country from sand and determination, embodies that ideal.

Regrettably, however, this has earned us many enemies abroad.

We would be pleased to offer you our assistance, but we have little left in the way of political capital with Versailles.  Against our will, our ties there have been severed.  In earnest, we were surprised to learn that you and the Desmarais line were still willing to correspond with us.  We take it as a sign of friendship, and a welcome one.  If there is anything else we can do to be of assistance please feel invited to petition.  If you ever travel to the wilds of America, to the frontier we currently call home, we will be glad to offer hospitality.  But as for your request we are simply unable to comply.

Lord Quinn
House Quinn