The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-01-07 00:00:00, page 2

eoMM@N SENSE id the PUBLIC, on Mr. Deane's
Affair.
(Continued from our IaJL)
FR OM the pathetic manner in which Mr. Deafie
{peaks of his " J offerings," and the little concern he
teems to have of ours, it may not be improper to inform
him, that there is kept in this city a Book of Sufferings, in
to which, by the affiitance of some of his connexions, he
may probably get them registered. I have # not inteieh
enough myfelf to afford him any service in this particular,
though I an a friend to all religions, and no perfonai e
hemy to those who may, in this place, suppose themselves
alluded t 0..,
[ can likewise explain to Mr. Deane, the reason of one
ofhis furrings which I know he has complained of. Af
ter the Declaration of Independence was passed, Mr. Deane
thought it a great hardship that he was not authorized to an
nounce it in form to the Court of France, and this circum
stance has been mentioned as a seeming inattention in
Congress. The reason of it was this, and I mention it of
my own knowledge. Mr. Deane was at that time only a
Commercial Agent, without any commission from Con
gress, and consequently could not appear at court with the
rank suitable to the formality of such an occasion. A new
commission was therefore necessary to be issued by Congress,
and that honor was purposely reserved for Doctor Franklin,
whole long Cervices in the world, and eftablihed reputa
tion in Europe, rendered him the fitteft person in America
to execute such a great and original design ; and it was
likewise paying a just attention to the honor of France by
fending so able and extraordinary a character to announce
the declaration.
Mr, Plain Truth who flicks at nothing to carry Mr.
Deane through every thing, thick and thin, fays, It
“ may not be improper to remark that when he (Mr.
" Deane) arrived in France, the opinion of people there,
" and in the different parts of Europe, not only with re
st fpe& to the merits, but the probable issue of the contest,
" had by no means acquired that consistency, which they
" had, at the time of Doctor Franklin's and Mr. Arthur
“ Lee's arrival in that kingdom." Mr. Plain Truth is
but a badhiftorian. For it was the fate efDodor Frank
lin and Mr. Lee to arrive in France in the very worst of
times. Cheir firfi appearance there, was followed by a
long series of ill fortune on our fide. Doctor Franklin
went from America in Oflober 1776, at which time our
affairs were taking a wrong turn. The loss on Long-Is
land, and' the evacuation of New-York happened before
he went, and all the succeeding retreats and misfortunes,
through the course of that year, till the scale was again
turned, by taking the Hessians at Trenton on the 26th
day of December, followed day by day after him. And
I have been informed by a gentleman from France, that
the philosophical ease, and chearful fortitude, with which
Doftor Franklin heard of, or announced those tidings,
contributed greatly towards lessening the real weight of
them on the minds of the Europeans.
Mr. Deane speaking of himfelf in his address fays, “ While
“it was fafe to be silent my lips were closed. Necessity
“ hath opened them and neceflity must excuse this effort
“ to serve, by informing you." After which lie goes on
with his address. In this paragraph there is an insinuati
on thrown out by Mr. Deane that some treason was on
foot, which he had happily discovered, and which hisdu
ty to his country compelled him to reveal. The public
had a right to be alarmed, and the alarm was carefully
keptup by those who at firft contrived it. Now, if after
this, Mr. Deane has nothing to inform them of he must
fink into nothing. When a public man flakes his repu
tation in this manner, he likewise flakes all his future cre
dit on the performance of his obligation.
I am not writing to defend Mr Art ur or Mr. William
Lee, I leave their conduct to defend itfelf; and I would
with as much freedom make an attack on either of these
gentlemen, if there was a public necessity for it, as on Mr.
Deane. In my address I mentioned Colonel R. H. Lee
with some tefiimbny of honorable refped, because I am
personally acquainted with that gentleman's integrity and
and abilities as a public man, and in the circle of my ac
quaintan-e I know but few that have equalled, and none
that have exceeded him, particularly in his ardor to bring
foreign affairs, and more especially the present happy alli
ance, to an issue.
I have heard it mentioned of this gentleman, that he
was amang those, whose impatience for victory lead them
into some kind of difeontent at the operations of last Win
ter. The event has, I think, fully proved those gentle
men wrong, and must convince them of it ; but I can fee
no reason whya mifgrounded opinion, produced by an
overheated anxiety for success, should be mixed up with
other matters it has no concern with. A man's political
abilities may be exceedingly good, though at the fame
time, he may differ, and even be wrong, in his notions of
some military particulars.
Mr. Deane lays that Mr. Arthur Lee ' c was dragged in&
" to the treaty with the utmoftreluHance," a charge which
if he cannot support, he must expect to answer for. I am ac
quainted that Mr. Lee had some objection against the
constructions of a particular article, which, I think, fliews
his judgment, and whenever they can be known will do
him honor ; but his general opinion of that valuable tranf
aftion I fliall give in his own words from a letter in my
hands.
" France has done us substantial benefits, Great-Bri
ef tain substantial injuries. France offers to guarantee
" our sovereignty, and universal freedom of commerce.
<< Great-Eritain condescends to accept our fubwffon and to
" monopolize our commerce. France demands of us to be
" independent, Great-Eritain tributary. Ido not con
" ceive bow there can be a mind so debased, or an under
" (landing so perverted, as to balance between them.
“ The journies I have made north and south in the
<c public service, havegiven me opportunities of knowing
" the general disposition of Europe on our queftiom. There
“ never was one, in which the harmony of opinion was so
" universal. From the Prince to the peasant there is but
“ one voice, one with, the liberty of America, and the
“ humiliation of Great-Eritain."
If Mr. Deane was as industrious to spread reports to the
injury of these gentlemen in Europe, as he has been in
America, no wonder if tneir real characters has been mif
underftbod. The peculiar talent which Mr. Deane pos
sesses of attacking persons behind their backs, has so near
a resemblance to the author of Plain Truth, who after
promising his namflo the public has declined to give it,
and to some other proceedings I am hot unacquainted with,
particularly an attempt to prevent m, publications, that it
looks as if one spirit of private malevolence governed the
whole.,
Mr Plain Truth has renewed the story ofDoCtor Ber
kenhout, to which! have but one reply to make; why
did not Mr. Deane appear against him while he was here ?
He was the only person who knew any thing of him, and
his neglecting to give information, and thereby fuffering
a suspicious person to escape for want of proof, is a story
very i^uch against Mr. Deane; and his complaining after
the man was gone corresponds with the rest of his con
duct.
When little circumstances are so eagerly dwelt upon, it
is a sign, not only of the want of great ones, but of weak
ness and ill will. The crime against Mr. William Lee is,
taat some years ago he was elected an Alderman of one of
the wards in London, and the English Calender has yet
printed him with the fame title. Is that any fault of his?
Ur can he be made accountable for what the people ofLon
don may do ? Let us distinguish between whiggifhnefs and
waspishness, between patriotism and peevifiinefs, other
wise we fliall become the laughing flock of every sensible
and candid mind. Suppose the Londoners fliould take it
in their heads to elect the President of Congress or General
Washington an Alderman, is that a reason why we Ihould
difpiace them ? But Mr. Lee, fay they, has not resigned.
These men have no judgment or they would not advance such
positions. Mr. Lee hasnothing to resign. He has vacated his
Aldermanfhip by accepting an appointment under Congress,
and can know nothing further of the matter. Were he to
make a formal resignation it would imply his being a fub
jeft of Great-Eritain ; besides which, the character of be
ing an Ambassador from the States of America, is so su
perior to that of any Alderman of London, that I conceive
Mr. Deane, or Mr. Plain Truth, or any other person, as
doing a great injustice to the dignity of America by at
tempting to put the two in any disputable competition.
Let us be honest left we be despised, and generous left we
be laughed at.
(To be continued in our next.)
TREATIES of Amity and Commerce, and of Alliance
eventual and defenfive, between his Most Christian
Majesty and the Thirteen United States of America.
LOUIS, by the Grace of GOD, King of France and
Navarre,
To All who shall fee these Presents, Greeting :
THE CONGRESS of the Thirteen United
States of North-America, having by their Pleni
potentiaries residing at Paris notified their desire to eftab
lilh with Us and Our States a good understanding and
perfeß correspondence, and having for that purpose pro
posed to conclude with Us a Treaty of Amity and Com
merce : WE having thought it Our duty to give to the
said States a sensible proof of Our affection, determining
Us to accept their proposals: For these causes and other
good considerations Us thereunto moving, We, reposing
entire confidence in the abilities and experience, zeal and
fidelity for Our service, of Our dear and beloved Conrad
Alexander Gerard, Royal Syndic of the city of
Strasbourg, and Secretary of Our Council of State, have
nominated, appointed and commissioned, and by these
presents signed with Our hand, do nominate, appoint and
commission him Our Plenipotentiary, giving him power
and special command for Us and in Our name to agree up
on, conclude and sign with the Plenipotentiaries of the
United States, equally furnished in due form with , full
powers, such Treaty, Convention and Articles of Com
merce and Navigation as he shall think proper, willing,
that he aft with the fame authority as We might or could
aft, if We were personally present, and even as though he
had more special command than what is herein contained ;
promising in good faith and on the word of a King, to
agree to, confirm and establish forever, and to accemplifh
and execute punctually, all that Our said dear and beloved
Conrad Alexander Gerard shall stipulate and sign,
by virtue of the present power, without contravening it
in any manner, er fuffering it to be contravened for any
cause, or under any pretext whatsoever; and also to rati
fy the fame in due form, and cause Our ratification to be
delivered and exchanged in the time that shall be agreed
on. For such is Our pleasure. In Testimony whereof
We have hereunto set Our Seal. Done at Versailles," this
thirtieth day of January, in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, and the fourth
year of Our reign.
(Signed,)
(L. S.) L OUIS.
(Underneath) By the KING.
GRAKIER de VERGENNES.
TREATY of ALLIANCE.
THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING and the UNIT
ED STATES of North-America, to wit,
New.Hamplhire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Ifland, Con
necticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Dela
ware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Ca
rolina, and Georgia, having this day concluded a Treaty
of Amity and Commerce, fe r the reciprocal advantage of
their fubjeCts and citizens, have thought it necessary to
take into consideration the means of strengthening those
engagements, and of rendering them ufeful to the fafety
and tranquility of the two parties; particularly in case
Great-Eritain in resentment of that connection, and of
the good correspondence which is the objed of the said
Treaty, fliould break the peace with France, either by
direct hostilities or by hindering her commerce and navi
gation in a manner contrary to the rights of nations and
the peace subsisting between the two Crowns.—And his
Majesty and the said United States having resolved in that
case to join their councils and efforts against the entey
prizes of their common enemy.
The refpeClive Plenipotentiaries impowered to concert
the clauses and conditions proper to fulfil the said intenti
ons, have after the most mature deliberation, concluded
and determined on the following articles.
Article 1. If war fliould break out between France and
Great-Eritain during the continuance @f the present war
between the United States and England, His Majesty and
the said United States shall make it a common cause, and
aid each other mutually with their good offices, their coun
sels and their forces, according to the exigence of conjunc
tures, as becomes good and faithful allies.
Article 2. The essential and direct end of the present
defenfive alliance is, to maintain effectually the Liberty,
Sovereignty and Independence absolute and unlimited of
the said United States, as well in matters of government aS
of commerce.
Article 3. The two contrasting parties shall each ort
its own part, and in the manner it may judge most pro
per, make all the efforts in its power against their com
mon enemy, in order to attain the end propefed.
Article 4. The contracting parties agree, that in case
either of them should form any particular enterprize in
which the concurrence of the other may be desired, the
party whose concurrence is desired, shall readily and with
good faith join to aft in concert for that purpose, as far as
circumstances and its own particular ftuation will permit,
and in that case, they shall regulate by a particular Con
vention the quantity and kind of fuccour to be furaifhed,
and the time and manner of its being brought into adion,
as well as the advantages which are to be its compensation.
Article 5. If the United States ihould think fit to at
tempt the reduction of the Eritifh power, remaining in the
Northern parts of America, or the islands of Bermudas,
those countries or islands, in case of success, fliall be con
federated with, or dependent upon the said United States.
Article 6. The Most Christian King renounces for
ever the possession of the islands of Bermudas,as well as of
any part of the Continent of North-America, which be
fore the Treaty of Paris, in 1763, or in virtue of that
Treaty, were acknowledged to belong to the Crown of
Great-Eritain, or to the United States, heretofore called
Eritifh Colonies, or which are at this time, or have lately
been under the power of the King and Crown of Greats
Britain.
Article 7. If His Most Christian Ma efty fliall think
proper to attack any of the islands situated in the Gulph of
Mexico or near that Gulph, which are at present under
the power of Great-Eritain, all the said isles, in case of
success, fliall appertain to the Crown of France.
Article 8. Neither of the two parties shall conclude
either truce or peace with Great-Eritain, without the for
mal consent of the other firft obtained; and they mutu
ally engage not to lay down their arms, until the Inde
pendence of the United States shall have been formally or
tacitly assured, by the treaty or treaties that shall termi
nate the war.
Article 9. The contrasting parties declare, that being
resolved to fulfil each on it's own part, the clauses and Con
ditions of the present Treaty of Alliance, according to its
own power and circumstances, there fliall be no after
claim of compensation, on one fide or the other, whatever
may be the event of the war.
Article 10. The Most Christian King and the United
States agree, te invite or admit other powers, who may
have received injuries from England, to make common
cause with them, and to accede to the present alliance,
under such conditions as shall be freely agreed to, and fet
tled between all the parties.
Article 11. The two parties guarantee mutually from
the present time, and forever against all other powers, to
wit—The United States to His Most Christian Majesty
the present possessions of the Crown of France in America,
as well as those which it may acquire by the future treaty
of peace ; and His Moil Christian Majesty guarantees on
his part to the United States, their Liberty, Sovereignty,
and Independence, absolute and unlimited, as well in mat
ters of government as commerce, and also their possessi
ons, and the additions or conquests, that their confedera
tion may obtain during the war, from any of the domini
ons now, or heretofore possessed by Great-Eritain in
North-America ; conformable to the fifth and sixth Ar
ticles above-written, the whole as their possession shall be
fixed and assured to the said States, at the moment of the
cessation of their present war with England.
Article 12. In order to fix more precisely the sense and
application of the preceed ing Article, the contrasting par
ties declare, that in case of a rupture between France and
England, the reciprocal guarantee declared in the said
Article, shall have its full force and effect, the moment
such war shall break out; and if such rupture shall not
take place, the mutual obligations of the said guarantee
shall not commence until the moment of the cessation of
the present war, between the United States and England,
shall have afeertained their possessions.
Article 13. The present Treaty mail be ratified on
both sides, and the ratifications fliall be exchanged in the
fpaceof fix months, or sooner, if possible.
IN FAITH WHEREOF the refpe&ive Plenipotentia
ries, to wit, on the part ofthe Most Christian King,
Conrad Alexander Gerard, Royal Syndic of the city of
Strasbourg, and Secretary of his Majesty's Council of
State. And on the part of the United States, Benjamin
Franklin, Deputy to the General Congress, from the
State of Pennsylvania, and President of 'the Convention
of said State; Silas Deane, heretore Deputy from the
State of Connecticut ; and Arthur Lee, Counfellor at
Law, have signed the above Articles both in the French
and Englifli languages; declaring nevertheless, that the
present Treaty was originally composed and concluded
in the French language, and they have hereunto affixed
their Seals.
DONE at Paris, this Sixth Da, of February, One Ikou
fund Semen Hundred and Seven, Eight.
(L. S.) C. A. GERARD.
(L. S.) B. FRANKLIN.
(L. S.) SILAS DEANE.
(L. S.) ARTHUR LEE.
*, This is the whole of the TREATY of ALLI
ANCE.
In next Saturday's Paper, we fliall publish the whole of
the TREATY of AMITY and COMMERCE.
•te —ll „ r 1
BOSTO N, December 10.
By several persons lately from Rhode-Ifland, we learn
that strong works are erecting there on all sides for its de
fence ; and that every inhabitant remaining there, who
do not take the oath of allegiance, are obliged to quit the
fame; so that from present appearances, they intend hold
ing a garrison there this winter.
We hear from Eafton, that they have voted the Rev.
Mr. Campbell, 4QOI. lawful money,—From Braintree,
that they have voted the Rev. Mr. Taft, 450!. lawful mo
ney.—From Bridgwater, that they have voted the Rev.
Mr. Porter, 5001. lawful money, as salaries fcr 1778. In
these examples we fee displayed a degree ®fjuftice and ge
nerosity, together w^th a spirit to support the Gospel Mi
niflry, which seem to be almost extinct, in some places at,
the present day.