National gazette. — Philadelphia [Pa.], 1793-05-22 00:00:00, page 1

Nums. 59 of Vol. H.] WEDNESDAY, May 22, 1793-
The following is t'-e Subjla'ice of an
address
Presented to M. Genet, by a deputation
from the French Benevolent Society,
eO a blithe cl in this city, cor.hiting o
French, and the defendants ot French
men.
Citizen Mini ft er. . . .
tMP to ihew our refpett and «t
- >ttie nation which you re
prei'ent, and .mrzeal in the cause of liberty
and equality, a, well as our personal
elleem, we have taken this opportunity ti
congratulate you oil your fife arrival in
this city. j .
M i..v amongst us impressed with an in
rate love o. liberty whil r France groaned
under t '.e yoke o-l defpoufin, fought and
found an afvlum in this country, when it
was ttie cradle of infant equality. The
favourable rec- pt.on which we met with
from "«.ir new fellow citizens, the do e
co»neition=, aidmutu d habits which vvc
imbibed here, have ,n ,dc it a new mother
country to u>. But in becoming American
citizen;, we did not cea'e to b rench
jnen. since no individuals can br more
B- -ly connected than a people waofe lig
ation's have bee . so limilar u> eacn otner.
The "retich citizen wh.> has become itili-.
ftted O the Aine." can nation, and the i it, -
Zenofthe Up red States, wnom Franca
ha adopted, have thereby only strengthen
«d the i esof .onn -rtion. •
' A union thus cemented by the blood of
the two aahons, .-id llrengt lened t> (o
ftrcme a iimilarity Of Itiinents and y. ■ i
cip!e£ is abie tn relil- the m>lt violent ef
forts of those vho mav have any l.itereft
in deftro} ■> it ; for liberty tends to unite
jnen, as defpotifrn doth to divide ai.d ue
ftroythem. . ,
Tha miilion witn which you are charges,
invv.fr- tneretor,-. a pleasing duty lmce i
is your to give and receive the assurances
pnd teHnu.Miy of so I'm. ere a friendfh.p,
a"il f> fraternal a union. We will co
oner ite with vou a, far as may be with...
our power, in mai itaimn •. that tellowfhip
an I in preventing the enemies of liberty
si oni dellroyijlg it. .. . .
L t iif be allowed here, as individuals
and Frenchmen, to . ay to our brethren ol
t'n • United -it .tes, the tribute of gratitude
v h their conduct deserves. We nave
been <>r,.nge.s a nongtl them, they have
treated us as brother-, and thty have la
v d heir fric idfhip upon u\ 1 »e>
]k:\ been '.ntluftrious in making ns forgel
th.iC ,vf were not born in the fame coun-
Through ill the extent of the Amer.car
em,>:re, v. e have seen our countrymen ex
perience the f.nne benefits, from the citi
zens who ire ever ready to affilt, and go
vernment as ready to proteit them.
-\cc p- Citizen, our belt withes for the
fu ceft of the - a life w'hii h France has de
t -.mined to fsppoft. We hope that hj
fucii generous efforts they will be enab.ee
to triumph in fpittof the hosts of defpoti
a i (live;, who would attempt to annilu
la.e it.
We i>re happy in having among" u=,
clti'.ei, whoh.i d. served w< il of his conn
try. and who g-vt's us every reason tu ex
p.that he will be «lv. ays acquiring ad
di'e i ralclaims too.ir gratitude and appro
w ion.
' Signed, on brh :lf of th» fnciety,
PETER- S. DuPONCEAU.
To this Adirefs M. Ge-iet made the fol
lowing reply-
Citizen Genet, Minister Plenipotentiary
from the French republic to the I'iench
American! citizens and defemdent* oi
Frenchmen, relident ill Philadelphia.
Citizc j,
THE fame principles andfentiments with
which you ar? animated, dou equal honor
to your uuderltanding* and yor.r hearts ;
"Vou hive exprelied a just idea of the view .
of th 'French republic. Itsaim'istodrav
It 1 closer, the ties tint bind a virtu
ous people who have uiiited by their gene
rous proceeding towards you. your att ch
nient, and your gratitude.
I will exert all my powers to fulfil he in
tentions ol" the republic, and i am perfua-
that on your lide you will negU-ft no
th to prove to the citizens of the Uni
ted States, that Frenchmen regard their
a, brethren.
I w I- take cire to make known to otu
Jii:c-"is inFrance, the address which
yo'U h"iv» p.-efeilted to me, a id I requcl'
you sviil oi pleal'ed to accept ol' my ;>arti
_ j q.. rll „ nays at Three Dollars per annum
By P.FRENEAU-. Publijhcd Wednesdays and oaturda>?i r
cular thanks for the opinion which you
have To obligingly exprell'ed of my zeai
and attachment to the glorious cause of li
berty and equality. GENET.
from the {Bojlon) Indepei.dei t Chronicle
WHEN writers appear on the fubjeft 01
neutrality, it is neceflary that the)
fhouM be explicit in what they mean bj
that term. Ifby neutrally it is meant
that we stand, with refpeft to France, ir.
the fame political connection as we do wit!
England ; and that the fame conduit, it
every particular, is to be purlued with tin
latter, as with the former ; such a )tat<
of neutrality is contrary to our prcfeni
u eaty, and contrary to our interest.
It is denied that we are novj in any trea
ty whatever with England ; it is true. :
treaty was entered into, but it is so fla
grantly viol,.ted by the English, by holding
our frontiers, that it is an affront to tilt
U.ilted States, to be told, that it is binding
upon us. Can any man seriously fay thai
tiie conduct ot England and I ranee, as il
relates to this country, is in the leall de
j.-ee Similar ? Has France, Since the Peace,
encroached upon our territory, a d helc
t monopolize the molt \alu -ble pari
as our trade, or aided and afiilled the na
tives to deftroy'the inhabitants Settled o
jur frontiers ? Has France uccafioiied us
'i i expend mi I lions in a war to del end our -
'elves "against the iucurfions of the Indi
ins ?
A writer in the Centinel, who is fond o)
nonthi'. v over matters ~s they relate to the
i!h. Tins ellabliSht d one position, on
.icii lu ground - 'tis argjn ents vhich ,il
Attended to, will operate highly in favour
)f tii. French, to the exclufionot (he Eng-
Hih; 0,-at leatt will prove that the United
States ought to bring Britain to concede to
limila i i ras, we admit tbtm with
in uurports, on the fame footing with the
French.
The writer fays, " that the rrueft policy
af-a nation eonliSts in Me performance or
ts duties." —To determine our duty, let
us compare the doings ot the two nations.
The Frencn Convention have decreed,
:hat all the ports of the Fre ich clonics
(lionld be open to the veflelsof the United
itates of America. That all merchandize
mportedand exported by American vefl'els,
lhall be fubje£t to such duties as French
veSFels pay That all laws with regard to
rhefale of timber and American vefl'els be
revoked. Tiiefe are the important deciSi
am of the National Convention in favour
of the United States—This is the encou
ragement given to our commerce by the
French—This is the friendship displayed
bv that nation.
Let the advocates for Britain produce
(injilar proceedings in the British parlia
ment, and then they will have some color
of pica, that the two nations Hand or,
equal ground with rtfpeft to America.—
On the contrary, our trade is (hackled ir
every part of the English territory ; and
our navigation is embarrafTed by exceflive
duties and prohibitions.
C m any man who feels for the honor
and interest of his country, fay, that when
the two Ambafl'adors ot" England and
France iipwear before the Executive ol
these Stales ; one holding in his hand;
terms of mutual friendfiiip, offering an al
liance founded 011 the most liberal nation
al principles ; the other having not the
most diliant appearance of afriendiv over
ture, but probably bound up with instruc
tions to retain our Frontiers,and to ptirfuc
the famecourfe of commercial embarraff
rnents they have long pracYifed: Can an\
man fay, that the two nations are entitled
to equal favours ! Can they be thought U
(land on the fame ground of national po
lity ?
If we are to follow the portion laid
down by the writer referred to,our condufl
is clear bet ore us. It-is our "duty" ti
oblige the F.ngliOi to comply with theii
treaty, and surrender our frontiers ; and it
is botn our policy, interest and " duty'
that thp embarrafi'ments & reftrittions un
der which our commerce labours by their
aits of parliament. Humid be removed.
Provided an ambefiador from the Bri
tish court should con e forward, it is our
' duty " (as a nation that mean to main
t tin their rights) to be explicit in our de
mands, and before any terms are riegocia
ted, toinliftupona decision by the British
equally as favourable to our commerce,
sis made by the French ; -when this is
done, it will follow, 41 that an impartial
and unequivocal "neutrality between ths
contending parties is our duty"—but while
things remain as they do, and every ad
vantage is taken of us by ihe Britilh, in
>ur commerce, and our frontiers are held
by them contrary to treaty, an ast of im
partiality, is an ait cf " perfidy" to the
French nation.
This writer, though a pretended advo
cate for impartiality, isinfa£t partial in fa
vour of the Englijh. The reflection thrown
on the French, as to their -'errors and
crimes," their frantic enthusiasm, and im
probability ot their success," are all the
eifufions of a mind prejudiced againlt their
rising republic. But the errors and crime:
of Britain and the r sanguinary measure:
throughout every part otthe world where
ver the British flaj has been difplaye'd art
topics which this impartial writer
lo fupprtfs.
The author does not wilh usto be enga
ged in the prefeut war ; but while the
n itions of Europe are aliening their right"
and vindicating their honor, he is defirou:
that the United States fliould not be inat
tentive to theirs. \Ve have now an op
portunity to aflert our claims, and main
tain the dignity and independence of oui
government, against the arbitrary, uijwar
i antable proceedings of the Britilh. It i
our " duty" to act with resolution, anc
no longer submit to the indignity, whicl
for so many yeays we have experiepctt
from them. By t^ei;*-conduct we havi
been put to the expence of millions, by ;
war with the" Ijitl »ns, and millions more
will soon be expended in conference o;
their retaining our frontiers.
It may be enquired whether it is meani
that the United States should be engat'ec
intheprefent war againlt England ?—B)
no means. It is for out interest to keef
clear of war with any of the powers ol
Europe. Itisgood polKy to adheVe ftr'.ft
ly to the modern of nations ; but al
this may be done,a/'rf at the ja'>-e time vin
dicate the Jovereig ty and honor cf tht
States. We have an undoubted right tc
:lemand afnrrenderof our posts, a&reeabl)
;<> treaty, without becoming a party in the
prefeut war ; We are entitled to the poffef
iion of our own territory, and the privile
ges ot our internal commerce, let the con
cert among the nations of Europe be what
:hey may.
Their contentions ought not to make us
more inattentive toour "duty." If En
gland is engaged in a war with France, i:
thisareafon « hy we fliould relinquilh our
just claims ? Or fliould we demand a com
pliance with their treaty, is this any rea
son why they (liou)d conlider us as parti
r..ins in favour of France? We are willing!
that they Ihould vindicate their rights a
gainst any power whatever ; but at the
fame time, they cannot expert that we will
surrender ours, to accommodate them,
lftncre i any fault in this bufinel's, it is or
the lide of the EngliHi, as we only al}'. foi
that t»*n'itory which they ought many
years since to ha'je J'urrenderecl. —We de
mand a commerce which they have ?nono
polized for along while to our injury.
As t'ree, fovcrcign and independent
States, we have a right (without a bre.i'.!
of neutrality) to regulate our own inter
nal conduit- —We have an undoubted right
tu give peculiar; advantages to nation
w\thin our irw>i ports. —If one nation a;
war, will give us ccrtain commercial pri
/ileges, while the other refnfes them, we
lave a right to reciprocate the benefits,
md allow them exclusive advantages: For
:iltance—all French prizes might be fold
hi our ports, free of any duty, while the
Englilh should be subject 10 such .rtjlricii
iins and duties as are thought proper
While we refrain aiding, .betting, or car
rying any articles which are deemed
contraband, we are ftriitiy neutral- But
[he internal regulations of our govern
ment. as they refpeft nations, upon the
principle of miprocty, mufb be admitted
consonant to the laws of nations, and can
not, in any sense, be considered as other
wise.
Upon the whole, if France and Englanc;
are to be coufidered on equal terms, the
latter mil ft firft place themselves on equal
terms with us. They mult qualify them
selves for such treatment, by coming for
ward on the fame liberal ground with the
French, by giving the f.-.me encouragement
to our navigation and commerce, and bj
quitting our frontiers. Let them show ti
dii'pofition equally as friendjv as the French
and the fame advantages will be granti'J
them within our ports. But till this is done,
though we mean to adhere to a stria neu
crality, according to the modern ill age of
nations, yet it is our dutv". to give ex
clusive privileges in the sale of , mtrchan
dize, &c. to I'uch nations as are disposed to
ailiit our navigation and commerce. '
A DEMOCRAT.
On Friday afternoon last, the
the citizens ol Philadelphia, agreeable
to notification for that purpofe,'attend
ed a meeting in the State-hotife garden.
An address congratulating Mr. (jenet
on his arrival was' read, and unani
mously adopted—lt was immediately
presented to the minister, at the city
tavern, and is as follow : • •'
To Edmund Charles GENET, minister
plenipotentiary from the republic ot,
France, to the United States, THE,
ADDRESS ps the citizens of Philadelphia.
SIR, ' .
The citizens of Philadelphia are anxious
to convey their congratulations upon xour
arrival, in terms the moll cordial and ac
ceptable. We have, with pleasure, on for
mer occaflons, acknowledged our pliliga
tions, and declared our attachment, to the
people of France ; but, at this moment, we.
are peculiarly gratified, by recognizing in
the Mipifier of ot'.r firit and be ft ally s
representative of a free republic,
Imprefied with the value of our political
independence ; recollecting, >vitli an honest
pride, the glory and success, which in pin-"
suit of that object, crowned the virtue and
fortitude of America ; and eltimaiing (hp
present reputation and prosperity of the u
nion, as bicffings refultingfronl ;he revolu
tion; >ve cannot without gratitude. cdn!i
der, how great a portion of our tri yniph
and our happiuefs, was derived froijp'the
zealous and chlinterefted aid >>f your coun
trymen j nor can we y ithout diflimulati
jn, suppress our joy, that ill-; pation,
which so generonfiy contributed to
the liberties of America, has, at lengtfri
cvith unparalleled magnanimity,
her own.
For such feelings, fir, welijve n?-
urally led to contemplate the ftrugeles ot
France with a paternal eye ; iympatoiling
nail her calamities ; and exulting in all
ler fyccelfes : but there is another interefl, 1
he interest of freedom and which
idds to the force of our afi'eciian, and fen
lers the cause of France important to eve
■y republic, and dear to all liyniaii
ace.
Beaflured, therefore, that justly regard
ng the cultivation of republican principles,
is the best security for the permanency Vy
>ur own popular governments, vl e rflt oiii;
"avorite hopes, .at this mohit I'ti us' crisis,
311 the conduit of France; and. earyfljj
jiving to the national exertion,'
nid our prayers, »e cannot i i lift the'pleaf.
ng hope, that although America is not a
sai ty ill til? exi fling war, {he irav pi!)
ihle, in a state of peace, to denn i (irate
;he sincerity of her frienc'fhip, by affording
:verV ufefnl afliftante to the citizens of lit;
ifter republic. '
The well earned character of a repuhlic
in and a patriot, has enftired l'pr yoii the.'
ivarmeft sentiments of personal refpeft and
eileem : and, while the law of
ind the rights of treaty, give dignity'anc]
energy to your official Itation ; the fiidea
,-ours of the citizens will not, *ve.tr\ift, fie
.iietteflual, in rendering your ref.dcnce
Philadelphia, agreeable to you, and hoji :
Durable to otirfelves.
Signed by order of the meeting,
CHARLES BIDDLE Chainnaj),
Philadelphia, 17th May 1793.
Attell.
ROBERT HENRY DUNKIN, Pec.
The citizens ailembled, expicffing a
Tire to accompany their committee in pre
renting the address to (:he miuijler., iiio
gentlemen were appointed to "afceftaki of
what time it would be convenient to hijn
to receive it ; and they returned in a fey/
niinute- with the following repprt : Thsjt
" Mr. Genet had e.:pi effed a high sense of
the compliment intended to be paid him
the citizens of Philadelphia, that he was so.
licitous to avoid giving them the trojible of
another meeting, &. that if the} \\ mild ac
cept the Spontaneous effulions of Jiis heart
which; however deficient in point offoym,
would not be deficient in point of (inceritv,
as an anfwerr to the adejiefs, he would be
happy to receive it immediately, leaving
till the ensuing day the ceremony of 4
written Reply."
Tjie citizens teftified their approbation
of the Minilier's proportion with re'itei
ted Ihouts, and apjioinftd the follow»
[Total No. 163.]