The New Hampshire gazette — Portsmouth [N.H.], 1798-04-19 00:00:00, page 3

worth while for M. Y. te come.” In
the evening while Gen. Pinckney and
Gen. Marshall were absent, M. Y. &
M. X. called, and were invited by
Mr, Gergy to breakfaft with us the
Bext morning.
| O&ober 30.
Immediately after breakfaft the fub
je&t was refomed. M. Y. spoke with
out interruption for near an hour.—
He said that he was desirous of making
a'laft effort to serve us, by proposing
fomerhing which mightaccommodate
the differences between the two na
tions ; that what he'was now about
to mention had not by anv means the
approbation of the Dire®ory ; nor
could M. Talleyrand undertake fur.
ther than to make from us the propo
sition to the Direory, and use hisin
fluence for its fuccefls ; that last week
M. Talleyrand could not have v*a
sured to have offered such proposi
tions ; but that his situation had been
very materially changed by the ‘peace
with the emperor ; by the peace he
had acquired m a high degree the con
fidence ot the DireQory, and now pof
-1724 great influence with that body ;
that he was also closely connefled with
Buonaparre and the generals of the
army of Italy ; and was to be consi
dered 2¢ firmly fixed in his post, for
at least five or iix months ; that under
thef: ctrcumitances he could ondertake
to offer, in our behalf, propefitions
which before this incre:fe of influence
be could not have hazarded., M. Y.
then called our attention to our own
situation, 'and to the force France was
capable of bringing to bear upon us,
He said that we were the best judges
of our capacity to refit, so far as de
pended on our own refouices, & ought
not to deceive oarfelves in 1 inrereft
ing a fubje&t. The fate of Venice was
one which might betal the U. 5. Bat
he proceeded to observe it was proba
ble we might rely on forming a league
-with England. Hwe had such z reli
ance it wouid fail vs, The firustion
of England was such as to compel Pitt
to m:ke peace on the terms ¢f France.
A varigty of causes wers in operation
which made such an effe@ absolutely
certain. To fay nothing of theoppo
fition in England to the minister and
to the war, an opposition which the
fears of the nation would increase ; to
fay nothing of a war against England
which was preparing to the north an
army of one hundred and fifty thou
sand men, under the command of Buo
maparte, [pré® uvpon the coast of
France, and sided by all the vast re
sources of his genius, would most pro
bably be enabled to invade England ;
in which event their government would
be overturned ; bat thould this inva
sion pot be absolutely effedted, vet the
alarm it would spread through the na
tion; the enormous expeiife it must pro
duce, would infallibly ruin them, if it
was to be continued ; and wouid drive
them to save themielves by a peace, :
that independent of this, France pof
feffled means which would infallibly
defiroy their rank and their whole paper
fyflem. He said he knew very well it
was generally conjeflured that Buonaparte
would not leave Italy and the army which
had conquered Gnder . h'm and which
adored him; he assured us, that nothing
could be more uufounded than the con
je&ure ;~—that Bueuaparte had for more
than ten days left Traly for Rallads, to pre
dide over the Congrels which was formed
for adjusting the affairs of the empire. He
said that Prtt himfelf was {o confident of
the ablolute neceflity ©f peace, that afrer
the naval viflory over the Dutch, he had
fignified his readiness to treat on the fame
terms which he had offered before that ac
gion ; we could not then rely on the afhift
ance of Englend. What, he alked, would
be.r‘o‘ur situation if peace should be made
with England before our differences wwith
France would be accommodated. But, he
continucd, if even England should be able
to continae the war, and America thould
bowgaown with her, it would not be m our
power to injure France. We might indeed
wound her ally ; butif we did 1t would be
so much the worse for us. After
having Rated the dangers attending us, if
we should engage in the war, he proceeded
2o the advantages we might’ derive from a
neatral situation : and infifled at large on
she wealth which would naturally flow into
our countsy from the deftruftion of En
gland.—He next proceeded to detail the
propositions which are in substance in the
per annexed, marked {A.) except that
::‘iaiﬂcd that we should engage to use our
influence with our government for the-loan.
~~=He stated expressly that the propositions
were to be considered as made by us ;—
that M. Talleyrand would not be responsi
ble for the fuccels of any oi them ; he would
enly undertake to use bis influence with
the Dire&ory, in support of them. The
proposition, he said, concerning a fulpen
fion of hostilities on the part of France; was
ol¢ which proceeded entirely from himfelf ;
M. Talleyrand had not been confulied up
©n it, and he could not undertake to fay
that that gentleman would consent even to
lay it before the Direftory. -
The proposition for an advance to the go
vernment of France of as much money as
was dae from it to our citizens on contratt,
and as might be determined to be due for
veflelsimproperly captured and condemned,
was, he said, indifpenfible ; unless we made
that, it was unneceflary 1o make any other;
for the others would not be received.” He
~expatiated on the vast advantages we should
derive from delay ; it was he said absolutely
o gain our cause. He returned ro the dan
ger of our situation and the policy of mak
sng with Fraoce any accommodation which
France would aflen. to. Perhaps said he,
you believe that in returning and exposing
to your countrymen the unreasonableness ot
the demands of this government, vou will
‘moite them in their refifance to those de
wmands : You are mistaken : you ought tp
know that the diplomatic skill of France and
the mcans she poffefes in your country, are
fufficient to enable her, with the French
party in America, to throw the blame which.
will attend the rupture of the negociations
an the Federalists, as you term yourselves,
but on the British party as France terms you,
and you may assure yourselves this will be
done. He concluded with declaration of
being perfeélly disinterested ; and declared
that his only motives for speaking thus free
ly were his friendfhip for M. Talleyrand,
and his with to promote the intergfls and
peace of the U. S. We told him that the
freedom with which he had {poken, and
which was agreeable to us, would induce us
to speak freely also ; and for once toaccom
pany our view of the present slate of things
with a retrofpeét of the past : That America
was the only npation upon earth which felt
and had exhibited a real frendihip for the
Republic of France: That among the em
pires round her which were compelled to
bend beneath her power and to obey her
commands, there was not one which had
voluntarily acknowledged her government,
or manifefted for it spontaneously, any mark
of regard : America alone had stepped for
ward and given the molt unequevocal proofs
of a pure and sincere friendihip, at a tirhe,
when almolt the whole Europeam world,
when Auflria, Germany, Pruflia, Rufha,
Spain, Sardinia, Holland, and Britain were
leagued against France : when her situation
was in truth hazardous, and it was dangerous
to hold even friendly intercourse with her,
America alone flood forward, ard openly
and boldly avowed her enthusiasm in favour
of the Republic, and her deep and fiacere
interest in Its fate. From that time to the
present, the government and people of the
U. S. have uontformly manifefled a sincere
and ardent friendfhip for France, and have,
as they conceive, in no single instance given
to this Republic just cause of umbrage : if
they have done so, they wish it tobe pointed
out to them. After the determination of
Fiance to bieak off all regular intercourse
with them, they have sent three Envoys
Extraordinary to endeavour to make such
explanations as might produce reconciliation,
Thele Envoys are prepared to invelhigare,
and with to investigate any measures which
may have given offence ; and are persuaded
that thev can entirely jullify the conduét of
their government. To this distant, un.
cffending, friendly Republie, what is the
conduftard the language of France ? Where
cvér our property can be found she seizes
and takes it from us: Unprovoked, the
determines to treat us as enemites, and
our making no resistance produces no dimi
nution of hostility against us ; she abuses and
inflults our government, endeavours to weak
en it in the eflimation of the people, re
calls her own Ministers, refufes to receive
ours, and when extraordinary means are ta
ken to mzke such explanations, and such al
terations in the existing relations of the two
countries as may be mutually fausfalory and
may tend to produce harmony, the Envoys
who hear thole powers are not received ;
they are not permitted to utter the amicable
wishes of their country ; but in the baughty
style ot a master, they are told that unless
they will pay a sum to which their resources
scarcely extend, that they may expeét the
vengeance of France, and like Venice be
eraced from the lift of nations ; that France
will annihilate the only free Republic upon.
ecarth, and the only nation in the univerie
which has voluntarily manifeftrd for her a
cordial and real friendfhip ! What impres
sion must this make on the miad of Ameri
ca, if without provocation France wasdeter
mined to make war upon us, unlels we pur
chased peace ? We could sot easily believe
that our money wgquld save us : Our inde
pendence would never ceafeto give offence,
and would always firnifh a pretext for frefh
demacds. On the advantages of neutrality
it was vonneceffary to {ay any thing ; all the
efforts of our government were exerted to
maintain it ; and we weuld never willingly
pait with 1.
With refpe& to a political conneflion
with Britain, we tcld bim that Amenicabad
never contemplated it. ' Whether the dan
ger he represented that government to be in
was or was not real we should not under
take to decide : Britain we believed had
much réafon to wish for peace ; and France
bad much reason to with for peace also : If
peace already existed, it would not change
the course which America would pursue.
Mr. Y. manifefted the méft exceflive impa
tience : he ioterrupted us and said, Thiselo
quent differtion might be true : America
might have manifefted and he believed had
manifefied great friendfhip for France, and
had just complaints against her ; but he did
not come to listen to those complaints. The
Minister would on our request, make for us
certain propositions to the Direltory ; he
slated them to us ; and all the answer he
-wished was yes or no ; did we or did we not
solicit the minister to make the propositions
for us ? We told him that without going
further into the difcuflion we chose to re
mark one or two things : they were, that the
existing treaties gave 1o France certain ad
vantages which were very eflential ; that es
pecially the American coait afforded a pro
teflion near two thousand miles in extent to
the prizes made by France on her enemies,
and refufed that proteétion to the prizes ta.
ken from her ; that she might be aflured, that
in case of warthefe advantages would be loft
forever. We also told him we were con
vinced that France miscalculated on the par
ties in America : That the extreme injultice
offered to our country would unite every
man agaioft her.© Mr. X. informed us that
M. Talleyrand would not consent even to
lay this proposition before the Direfory
without, previously receiving the fifty thou
sand pounds, or the greater part of it. Mr,
Y. left in writing his prepofitiens, and we
returned the answer annexed and mark'ed'(B)‘
: November 18,
It was at length agreed that we should
hold no more indireét intercourse with the
‘government. : ,
: e November 3d.
M. X. called on us, and told Gen. Pinck
ney and Gen. Marshall (Mr. Gerry not be
ing within) that M. Y. wifbed once moreto
fce us., We answered that we thouldatany
‘time be glad to fee M. Y. as a private gen.
tleman ; but that if bis obje&t was only to
repeat his pronofition for money, it was pér
f:gcly unnecellary to do so ; because on that
fubjeét it was impoflible for us !ochan%f:fthg:
‘an{wer we had already given. - We told him
further, that we considered it as degrading
-our country to carry on farther {uch an in
| EXHIBIT B.
- Received awith the Enwoys® Letter No. 2,
' dated 815 Nov. 1797.
o The Envoys Extraordinary and mi
nisters Plenipotentiary es the U. S.
' cannot avoid observing the very unu
sual situation in which they are placed
“by the manner in which they are alone
permitted to make communications on
' the objedts of their mission : They are
called upon to pledge their country to
~a very great amount, to answer de
mands which appear to them as ek
_traordinary as they were nnexpeéted,
without being permitted to discuss the
reason, the justice, or the policy on
which those demands are founded,
and not only without assurances that
the rights of the U. 8. will in future
be refpefted ; but without a docu
ment to prove that those to whom they
are required to open themselves with
out reserve, and at whose instance they
are called on to facrifice so much, are
empowered, even by the Minister, to
hold any commaunication with them ;
Yer such is.the anxious and real soli
citude of the Envoys to seize any oc
_cafion which may afford a hope, how
ever distant, of coming to those expla
nations which they so much wish to
dire@ intercoutfle a 8 we had for sometime
{ubmitted to, and had determined to recerve
no propositions, unless the persons who bore l
them had acknowledged authority to_treat |
with us. He said that perhaps M. Y. migh: 1
have written powers from the Minifles ;-
and we rephed, \!ar if be had we should re
ceive bis commUmcations with plealure.
He {poke of a probable peace with England,
and, having requelled us to be at home in
the aftemoon,‘}eh us.
~ About three o’clock he came, and after
some conversation, in which we repeated in
substance what is stated above, he shewed as
a paper, which he said wasa °°'P¥ of a let.
ter prepared for us, by M. Talleyrand, re
ueflting an explanation of part of the Prefi
gem’snﬁpccch. and which he {aid would be
sent, unless we came into the propositions
whith had been made us. We withed to
take a copy of ir, which he declined per
mitting, saving he wasforbidden to allow it.
We spoke of the letter coming to us as a
meaflure we had no expeflation of prevent
ing ; and he said he could not underßßand
that we withed it delayed. To which
we answered, that the delay of a
few days could mnot be desired, un.
less a hope® existed that the DireQory
might become more friendly to our cauntry.
He said shat intelligence had been received
from the Uaited States, that if Col. Burr
and Mr. Madison had constituted the mis
sion, the differences betweeen the two na
tions would have been accommodated before
this time. He added as a fa& he was notin
ftru&ted 1o communicate, thaa M. Talley
‘rand was preparing a memorial to be sent
out to the United States, complaining of us
as being unfriendly to an accommodation
with France, We replied to his intelligence
from the United States, that the minister’s
correlpondents in America took agood deal
on themselves, when they underteok to fay
how the Direftory would have received
Colonel Burr and Mr. Madison ; and that
with refpet to the memorial of Talleprand,
it would not be easy for him to convisce our
countrymen, that the fatements we fheuld
make were untrue : if, however, we were
confident that our conduft would be con
demned, M. Telleyrand might be aflured,
that the fear of censure would not induce us
to deserve it : but that we should altin a
manner which our own judgments and con.
fctencies would approve of ; and trusted we
should be supported by the great body of
honest men. In this conversation we again
stated that America had-taken a neutral po.
fition ; that she had faithfully {ought to pre
serve it ; that 2 loan of money to one.of the
belligerent powers was direftly to take part
in the war ; and that to take part in the war
against her own judgment and will, and un
der the coercion of France, was to surrender
our independence.
: EXHIBIT A.
Enclosed in the Envoy’s Letter of Nov. 8, °97.
Noi.]) ,
I. The American Envoys thall remain
here for fix months, in thé fame manner and
wpon the fame footing, with regard to eti
%ncne, as did M. d’Aranjo, the cnvoy of
orrugal, , :
_ IL. There shall be named a commission of
five members, agreeably toa form to be
established, for the purpole of deciding up
on the reclamations ofpodic Americans, re
lative to the prizes made on them by the
French privateers. ;
111. The Amecrican Envoys will engage,
that their government shall psy the indem
nifications, or the amount of the sums alrea
dy decreed to the American creditors of the
French Republic, and those which shall be
adjudged to the claimants by the commis
sioners. * This payment shall be made under
the name of an advance to the French Re
public, who shall repay itin a time and man
ner to be agreed upon.
IV. One of the Ameri¢an envoys shall
return to America, to demand of his gov
erament the neceflary powers to purchase
for cash, the thirty-two millions ofp Dutch
refcriptions, belonging to the French Repub
lic, in case the envoys thould conclude atrea
typwhich shall be approved by the two na.
tions.
V. 1n the interval, the definitive treaty
shall proceed for the termination of all dis.
ferences exi&'mé between the French Re.
public and the United States, so as that the
treaty may be concluded immediately on the
return of the deputy. ,
Vl. The quéftion of the Role d’Equi
page shall remain fulpended until the return
of the deputy, and the commission shall not
pronounce upon any reclamation where this
point shall be in question. .
VII. During the fix months granted for
the going and returning of the deputy, hos
tilities against the Americans shall be sus
pended, as well as the procels for condem
nation before the tribunals ; and the money
of the prizes already condemned, in the
hands ot the civil officers of the nation, shall
remdin there, without being delivered to
the privateerfmen, until the return of the
deputy. bew I
make with this Reptblic, that they
pass over-the uncommon and informal
modes w hich have been adopted, and
will only eonfider the propofilions
themselves.
L. The Ministers of the U. §. anll
permit mo personal confideraiions to inflaemce
thiir negociations with the Fremeh Repub
stc. Aliboudh they expelted that the ox
traordinary means adopted by their gow.
ermment to reconcile itjelf to that of Francs
would bave been received awith fame de
gree of attemtion, yet they are too solicitous
to enter upon the important and intevefling
duty of thiér mission to permit themjelves
20 be refirained by forms of stiquetts.
21, On this article it it beliawed there
can be no disagreement.
IIL. This article, as deplained, wwonld
oblige the U. 8. 10 adwance, mot to their
own citizens but to thegoverment of France,
Jums eguivalent to the depredations made
by the corsairs of tbe Republic on the A
merican commerce, and to the contrafls
made aith ther citizers 6) France ; and
this advance, inflead of benefiiing the citi-
Zens of the U. S. awould leave them pre
ctjely abat they moww are, the creditors of
the F. Republic : The mare extensive the
depredations and the more cafdcra&h the
contralds nncomplied awirh, the more wonld
the gowernment of Prance receive from che
U. S. Independent of these objeions the
Miniflers of the U. 8. cannot engage to
offime, in any form, the debts due from
France to their fellow-citizens—they bave
no _fuch power.
IV, If the negociations be opened, and
the propositions for a loan, or any other
propofitons, exceeding the powoers of the
Minifiers, be made, the government of the
U. §. wil! be conjulted theraon with expe
dition.
V. This, or any other proposition bavw
ing for its ohjel? the claims of the two na
tions on each other, or an accommodation of
aifferences, will be embraced awith ardour
by tha Miniflers of the U. §.
VI. It cannot sfcape notice, that the
queflion of the Role a’equipage may in
wolve in it every vessel taken from the U.
8. the Minifiers howewer confider it, and
wifb to take it up as a fubjed of mogocia
tion.
VII. On this article it is only to be
observed, that the jeajon of the year is
Juch, as probably te render a return with
in fix months, of the emvey; who might
Jail to the U. S. impralticable ; Provi-
Sion should be made for such an event,
If the difficuliies attending the pro
positions for a loan and a compensa
tion for past injuries be such as to re
- quire time for their removal, the Mi
nisters of the U. S. propose that the
difcuflions on the relative fituatien of
the two countries, may commence in
the usual forms ; that the relation to
each other may be so regulated, as to
obviate future misunderstandings ; and
that the adjustment of the claimsiof
the citizens of the U. S. whose veflCls
bave been captured, may be made as-.
ter a decision on the point firft men
tioned.
- No diplomatic gratifications can
precede the ratification of the treaty.
{No. 3.] >
Paris, Now. 27, 1797.
DEAR SIR, .
On the 11th inst. we transmitted
the following official letter to the Mi
nister of Foreign Affairs :
; CITIZEN MINISTER, '
““The undersigned Envoys Extra.
ordinary and Ministers Plenipotentia
ry of the U. S. of America, to the
French Republic, had the honor of
announcing to you officially, on the
6th of O&ober, their arrival at Paris,
and of presenting to you on the eighth
a copy of their letters of credence.
Your declaration at that time, that a
report on American affsirs, was then
preparing, and would in a few days
be laid before the Dire&ory, whose
decision thereon should, without de
lay, be made known, has hitherto
imposed silence cn them. For this
commaunication they have waited with
that anxious solicitude which so in
teresting an event could not fail to ex
cite, and with that refpe& which is
due to the government of France.
They have not yet received it, and so
embarrafling is that of the under
signed, both as it refpe&ts themselves
and the government they represent,
that they can no longer dispense with
the duty of soliciting your attention
to their miflion.
¢« The U. S. Citizen Minister, at
an epoch which evinced their sinceri
ty, have given inconteftible proofs of
their ardent friendfhip, of their affec
tion for the French Republic : these
were the result, not of her unparalled
prowess and power, but of their con
fidence in her justice and magnanimi
ty ; and in such high estimation was
the reciprocality of her friendfhip held
by them, as to have been a primary
obje& of national concern. The pre
servation of it was dear to them, the
loss of it a fubje of unfeigned regrer,
and the recovery of it by every mea
sure, which shall cqnm{ with the
rights of an independent nation, en
gages their constant attention. The
government of the United States, we
are authorized to declare, has exam
ined, with the most scrupulous justice,
its condu& towards its former friend.
It has been led to this by a sincere de
sire 1o remove of itfelf every just cause
of complaint ; conceiving that, with
the most upright intentions, such caofe
may poflibly exist ; and although the
ftrifteft search has produced no felif
reproach, although the government is
conscious that it has enitormly fought
to preserve, with fidelity, its engage
ments to France, yet far from withe
ing to exercise the privilege of judge
ing for itfelf on its own course of rea
soning and thelights in its own pos
session, it invites fair and candid dis
cussion ; it solicits a re-consideration
of the past ; itis persuaded its inten
tions, Its views, and its a&ions, must
have been misrepresented and misun
derstood ; it is convinced that the es
sential interests of both nations will
be promoted by reconciliation and
peace, and it cherishes the hope of
meeting with similar difpofiticns en
the part of the Dire&ory.
¢ Guided by these sentiments, the
President of the U. S. has given it in
charge to the unde:figned, too state @
the Executive Dire&tory the deep re
gret which he feels at the loss of our
fulpenfion of the harmony snd triend=
ly intercourse which subsisted betweens
the two republics, and his sincere wish
to restore them ; to discuss candidly
the complaints of France, and to cffer
frankly these of the U. S. and he has
authorized a review of existing treaties
ard such alterations thereof as fhal}
consist with the murval interest and
fatisfaltion of the contraling parties,
““ This task the undersigned are
anxious to commence ; and truly hap
py will they be, if their exertions can
in any degree contribute to restore
that ‘friendthip, that mutval inter.
change of good offices, which it is
alike their with and their duty to ef
fe€t, between thé citizens of the two
republics,
‘“ The undersigned pray you, citie
zen minister, to present this commu.
nicatioh to the Executive Dire&tory,
and to receive the assurances of theie
most perte& consideration. (Signed)
CuArresCormswoRTHPINCKNEY
J. Marsuary,
ELBRIDGE GERRY.
Paris, Now. 11, in the 224 year
o qb/ American Independence. } i
0 thoe minifley of foreign affairs of the
French ﬁpxb{t"c( Py
No anfaver bawing been given to it on
the 21/ irft. we requefied major Rutledge
10 wast on the miniffer and ingquire of bim
avbetber be bad communicated the letrer to
the Dire@ory and avbether awe might exe
pe& an anfaver. He replied, that be bad
Jubmitted our letter to them, and that they
would direé? bim avbat fleps 1o purjue, of
awbich ae shall be informed. We hbave
aot howewer bitherto reccived anmy other
intimation relative to this business. We
are not yet received 3 and the condemnation
of our weffels, for awant of a role d’equi=-
page, is unremittingly contivued. Frequend
and urgent atiempts bave been made to in<
weigle us again into negociation with per-
Jons not ¢ﬁ€ialb authortzed, of awhich the
advancing of money is the basis 5 but b:ve
perfified in doclining to bhawe any furtber
~ communication relative to diplomatic bufi
; nefs awith persons of that defeription ; and
- que mean to adbere to this determinations
- We are sorry te inform you, that the pree
Jent dijpofiiion of tbe governmemt of this
country appears to be usunfriendly 10avardy
ours as ever, and thai ave bave very ligle
2rofped of Jucceeding in our miffson.
We have the honor to be,
Your most obedient humble servants,
Cuar, CoTesworTH PinckNEY,
J. MarsrALL,
E. Gerry. ;
Col. Picksring.
e . (Noz4.)
Paris, December 24th, 1797.
Dear Sir, '
We have not yet received any official
answer to our official letter to the
minister of foreign affairs, dated the
eleventh of last month, and mention
ed in number three, but reiterated at
tempts have been made to engage us
in negociation with persons not offici
ally avthorized ; and you will find 2’
the exhibits, marked A, B, and C,
herewith sent, some important infore
mation relative to the view and inten
tion of the French government with
refpe& toours. We are all of opinion,
that if we were to remain here for fix
months longer, without we were to
stipulate the payment of money, and
a great deal of it, in some shape or
other, we thould not be able to effec
tuate the obje&s of bur mission, thould
we be even officially received ; unless
the projected attempt on England was
to fail, or a total change take place in
the persons who at present dire& the
affairs of this government. In this
situation of matters, we are determin
ed by the 10th of next month, should
they remain as they are, to transmit
another letter to the minister, repre.
fenting, as far as may be expedient,
the views of our government.
- We have the honor to be,
- with great refpe& and regard,
Your most obedient humble servants,
Cus C. PiNcknNeY, |
+J. MarsuaaLri, |
E. GerrrY. - '
Col. Picksring, Surerary of State.
giker EXHIBIT A. -
(Inclofed is the Envoy's Letter, Nooy.)
On the 14th of December, M: X.
‘called on me,in order,as he faid,togain
some information, relative to lome
lands ine——=—purchafed by=———rfor
whome——Sgon atterwards Gen. Mar-