Virginia Argus (Richmond, Va.), 1798-06-29 00:00:00

SUPPLEMENT TO The VIRGINIA ARGUS.
No. 22 of VOL. VI.]
A FREE PRESS MAINTAINS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE.
[WHOLE No.
RICHMOND, (VIRG.)—PRINTED (ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS) BY SAMUEL PLEASANTS, JUN. NEAR THE VENDUE-OFFICE
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FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1798.
[Ten Cents Single]
Important.
Philadelphia, June 22.
The members of both Houses of Congress, we are informed, intend to give a dinner at O'Callaghan's Hotel on Saturday, as a tribute of affection, approbation and respect, to General MARSHALL. The committee of arrangement consists of Messrs. Bingham and Read of the Senate, and Messrs. Sitgreaves, Otis and Rutledge, of the House of Representatives.
Yesterday in the House of Representatives of the United States, the Bill concerning Aliens was PASSED, after considerable debate. Its passage was opposed by Messrs. Livingston, Samuel Smith, McDowell and Gallatin, and advocated by Messrs. Kittera, Otis and Harper. The yeas and nays on its passage were as follows:
YEAS. Messrs. Allen, Baer, Bartlett, Bayard, Brooks, Bullock, Champlin, Chapman, Cochran, Coit, Craik, Dana, Edmund, Evans, A. Foster, D. Foster, J. Freeman, Glenn, Goodrich, Gordon, Griswold, Grove, Harper, Hindman, Hofler, Imlay, Kittera, Lyman, Matthews, Morris, Otis, I. Parker, Read, Rulledge, Schureman, Sewall, Shepard, Smickson, Sturgeon, N. Smith, Thatcher, Thomas, Tillinghast, Van Allen, Wadsworth.—46.
NAYS. Messrs. Baldwin, Bard, Benton, Blount, Brant, Burgess, T. Claiborne, W. C. C. Claiborne, Clapton, Davis, Dawson, Dent, Fowler, Gallatin, Gellespie, Gregg, Hanna, Harrison, Havens, Hietter, Holmes, Jones, Livingston, Locke, Lyon, Macon, M'Clenahan, M'Dowell, Milledge, New, Samuel Smith, W. Smith, Sprigg, Stanfield, Sumner, A. Trigg, J. Trigg, Varnum, Venable, R. Williams.—40.
In the course of the sitting, the following Message was received from the President of the United States.
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. "WHILE I congratulate you on the arrival of General Marshall, one of our late Envoys Extraordinary to the French Republic, at a place of safety, where he is justly held in honor, I think it my duty to communicate to you a letter received by him from Mr. Gerry, the only one of the three who has not received a cōngé. This letter, together with another from the minister of foreign relations to him of the 3d of April, and his answer of the 4th, will show the situation in which he remains, his intentions and prospects."
I presume that before this time he has received fresh instructions (a copy of which accompanies this message) to consent to no loans, and therefore the negotiation may be considered at an end. I will never send another minister to France without assurances that he will be received, respected and honored, as the representative of a great, free, powerful and independent nation.
JOHN ADAMS. United States, June 21, 1798.
Paris, 16th April, 1798. My Dear Sir, THUS I expect you will receive by my colleague, General Marshall, who carries with him the last letter of Mr. Talleyrand to the American Envoys, and their answer. On the day when we sent the answer, I received a letter from the minister, a copy of which, and my answer, is included. I have not sent these to the secretary of state, because I have not time to prepare a letter to accompany them. Indeed, I expected my passport with my colleagues; but I am informed the Directory will not consent to my leaving France; and to bring on an immediate rupture, by adopting this measure contrary to their wishes, would be, in my mind, unwarrantable. The object of Mr. Talleyrand, you will perceive, was to resume our reciprocal communications, and again to discuss the subject of a loan. I thought it best, in my answer, not merely to object to this, but to every measure that could have a tendency to draw me into a negotiation.
I accepted of this mission, my dear Sir, to support your administration, and have brought myself into a predicament, which you must assist me to extricate myself from, by appointing some others to supply the places of myself and colleagues, if a further
[4 Here is an error in the copy we have received.] * I allude to my painful residence here as a political cypher.
progress in this business should be found practicable.
I have only a moment to add my best respects to your lady, and my assurances of the most sincere and respectful attachment,
My dear Sir, Of yours sincerely, E. Gerry. The President of the United States.
(TRANSLATIONS.)
Paris, the 14th Germinal, 6th year of the French Republic, one and indivisible, (3d April, '98.)
The Minister of Foreign Relations to Mr. Gerry, Envoy Extraordinary of the United States of America to the French Republic.
I SUPPOSE, Sir, that Messrs. Pinkney and Marshall have thought it useful and proper, in consequence of the intimations given in the end of my note of the 28th Ventose last, and the obstacles which their known opinions have in eroded to the desired reconciliation, to quit the territory of the republic. On this supposition I have the honor to point out to you the 5th or the 7th of this decade, to resume our reciprocal communications upon the interests of the French republic and the United States of America.
Receive, I pray you, the assurances of my perfect consideration. Ch. Mau. Talleyrand.
Paris, 4th April, 1798. (Germinal 15, an. 6.)
I had the honor, citizen minister, of receiving your letter of the 24th Germinal (the 3d inst.) and Mr. Deutremont who delivered it, informed me, that it was intended to be shown to general Pinkney and gen. Marshall.
Whilst my colleagues and myself, to whom the government of the United States have entrusted the affairs of the embassy, had a joint agency therein, I have carefully imparted to them all the propositions which you have requested, and the relative conferences; and to yourself our decisions thereon, regretting at the same time the unfortunate and embarrassing circumstances which imposed on me this disagreeable task. But as by the tenor of your letter it is now expected that they will quit the territory of the French Republic, it will be impossible for me to be the medium of, or to take any measures which will be painful to my colleagues, or not to afford them all the assistance in my power; and it would be moreover inconsistent with the line of conduct which you well know, citizen minister, I have uniformly observed for removing the unfavorable impressions which existed on the part of this government against them; indeed, in our last letter there is a conditional application for passports, which, as it appears to me, supercedes the necessity of a hint to them on this subject; and general Marshall is waiting impatiently for an answer to that part of it which respects a letter of safe conduct for the vessel in which he and his suite may take passage for the United States, to determine whether he shall embark from France or Great Britain; but the unfortunate situation of gen. Pinkney, with respect to the critical state of his daughter's health, renders it utterly impossible for him to depart under existing circumstances.
You have proposed, citizen minister, the 5th or 7th of this decade for me to resume (repandre) our reciprocal communications upon the interests of the French republic and of the U. States. The reciprocal communications which we had, were such only as I have alluded to in the beginning of this letter, unless your proposition accompanied with an injunction of secrecy, for me to
treat separately, is considered in this light. To resume this subject will be unavailing, because the measure, for the reason which I then urged, is utterly impracticable. I can only then confer informally and unaccredited on any subject respecting our mission, and communicate to the government of the U. States the result of such conferences, being in my individual capacity unauthorised to give them an official stamp. Nevertheless every measure in my power and in conformity with the duty I owe my country, shall be zealously pursued to restore harmony and a cordial friendship between the two republics.
I had the honor of calling on you last evening for the purpose of making this communication verbally, but as you were absent, to prevent misconceptions, I have thought it best to commit it to writing.
Accept, I pray you, citizen minister, the assurances of my perfect esteem and respect. To the Minister of foreign affairs of the French Republic.
To Charles Cotesworth Pinkney, John Marshall and Elbridge Gerry, Esqrs. envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary from the United States of America, to the French Republic.
Gentlemen, On the 4th inst. came to hand your first dispatches since you arrived at Paris; these were your numbers 1, 4 and 5; and on the 6th inst. your numbers 2 and 3 were received. On the 5th, your no. 5, dated the 8th of January, and a translation of the message of January 4th from the directory to the council of five hundred, were laid before congress. In this latter you "repeat, that there exists no hope of your being officially received by that government, or that the objects of your mission will be in any way accomplished." This opinion is sanctioned by the whole tenor of your communications; and we trust that soon after the date of your number five you closed your mission by demanding passports to leave the territories of the French republic.
An official copy of your letters of credence having been delivered to the minister for foreign affairs, and by him laid before the directory, they were sufficiently informed of the great objects of your mission; and considering that you were an extraordinary delegation from an independent nation, you had a right to expect a prompt and respectful reception. The fair and honorable views of the American government which dictated your appointment and your powers, entitled you to expect the early appointment of a commission by the French government, with equal powers, to negotiate on all the matters in controversy between them. Had the French government been influenced by similar views, the objects of your mission would long since have been accomplished, to the advantage and peace of both nations. But, instead of coming forward on such equal & proper ground they have treated you, and thro' you your own country, with extreme neglect.
Under these circumstances, the President presumes you have long since quitted Paris and the French dominions: yet situated as you were with an ardent desire to preserve peace, which you know would be so grateful to your country; and having for this object manifested unexampled patience, and submitted to a series of mortifications; as you also proposed to make one more direct attempt, subsequent to the date of your last letter, to draw the French government to an open negotiation—there is a bare possibility that this last effort may have succeeded.—The President therefore thinks it proper to direct,
1. That if you are in treaty with persons duly authorised by the directory, on the subjects of your mission, then you are to remain and expedite the completion of the treaty, if it should not have been concluded. Before this letter gets to hand, you will have ascertained whether the negotiation is or is not conducted with candour on the part of the French government; and if you shall have discovered a clear design to procrastinate, you are to break off the negotiation, demand your passports, and return. For you will consider that suspense is ruinous to the essential interests of your country.
2. That if on the receipt of this letter you shall not have been received, or,
whether received or not, if you shall not be in treaty with persons duly authorised by the directory, with full and equal powers, you are to demand your passports and return.
3. In no event is a treaty to be purchased with money, by a loan or other wise. There can be no safety in a treaty so obtained. A loan to the republic would violate our neutrality; and a discount to the men now in power, might by their successors be urged as a reason for annulling the treaty, or as a precedent for further and repeated demands.
It is proper to apprize you that a motion has been made in the Senate, and will doubtless be repeated in the House of Representatives, to desire the President to lay before them your communications; and he will probably be under the necessity of doing it; only withholding the two names which you promised should in no event be made public.
I have the honor to with great respect, gentlemen, your obedient servant.
TIMOTHY PICKERING. Department of State, Philadelphia, March 23, 1798.
NEW YORK, June 21.
To the printers of the New-York Gazette. IN a hand bill issued from your press this morning, I observed a note signed "John Kidder," in which Mr. Lee is mentioned as being the bearer of letters from the office of the French minister of foreign affairs to citizen Bache and Genet. In justice to Mr. Lee, and to prevent Mr. Kidder's note from having an impression on the public mind, which I am confident he did not intend, I state the following circumstances:
Mr. Lee, Mr. Kidder and myself, were fellow travellers from Paris to Bourdeaux. Mr. Lee's departure having been talked of for a considerable time before he left Paris, many letters were committed to his care, which he looked over and assorted in our presence. Several letters sealed with the seal of the minister of foreign affairs, & addressed to the citizens Monroe, Genet, Bache, and, I believe, to some other persons of the same description, excited Mr. Lee's curiosity not less than the rest of the passengers—and he, in particular suggested that they ought to be sent to the office of the secretary of state. Mr. Lee, as well as myself, left the vessel at sea, and in the hurry of affording the letters for their different destinations, I presume he left with Mr. Kidder, who remained on board some of the letters in question.
If my testimony could add any thing to Mr. Lee's reputation, I should take a pleasure in saying that he is one of the very few Americans of respectable character, who have lately resided in France. He has always appeared to retain a warm attachment to this country, and to feel a sincere detestation for the Americans in France, whose hostility to our government has had so considerable a share in producing the present state of things.
SAMUEL M. HOPKINS. New York, June 20.
To the Printers of the New-York Gazette.
Gentlemen, As the public seem to suppose that I am criminated in Mr. Kidder's note which appeared in a handbill this morning, I take the occasion simply to assert that I knew nothing of the contents of the letters addressed to Messrs. Bache, and others, bearing the seal of the minister of foreign affairs. That I do not even know who delivered them to me; and that I did not notice them particularly till after being at sea. It was by mistake that some of them were left with Mr. Kidder. The others have been delivered up to government.
WM. LEE.
TALLEYRAND'S LETTER.
The following affidavit will save those that know the editor, the trouble of wading through the subjoined lengthy detail.
[Aurora. City of Philadelphia, ff.
On the 20th of June, 1798, personally appeared before me, Hilary Baker, Mayor of the city of Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin Bache; who being duly sworn, deposed and said: That the letter signed Ch. Mau. Talleyrand, which appeared in his newspaper, called the Aurora, on Saturday last, was not received by him
from France; that it was delivered to him for publication by a gentleman in this city; and that he never received the letter said to have been put into the post office for him, in a piece signed John Kidder, published in Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser of the 19th inst. And further the deponent saith not.
BENJ. FRANKLIN BACHE. Sworn before me, HILARY BAKER, Mayor.
R ANAWAY from the subscriber a few months ago a Negro Fellow by the name of JUPITER, about 25 years old, 5 feet 10 inches high, sandy complexion, good countenance and fond of talking—His left foot without toes, occasioned by burning in his youth.
TWENTY DOLLARS will be paid for the delivery of said negro to me, or FIFTEEN DOLLARS for securing him in any jail to that I get him again. WILLIAM SPENCER. Amherst county, June 26, 1798.
NOTICE.
In pursuance of a Decree of the Worshipful Court of Amelia county, bearing date the 24th of May 1798, will be Sold by the Commissioners, upon the premises, on Saturday the 1st of September next, if fair, if not the next fair day,
A Tract of Land,
Containing 750 acres more or less. One third of the purchase money must be paid on the day of sale; one other third at the end of twelve months, and the remaining third at the end of two years from the day of sale, the purchaser or purchasers, giving bonds with approved security, to bear interest from the date if not punctually paid. The above Land lies upon both sides of Johns' Run in Pittsylvania county, and adjoining the lands of Mr. Daniel Motley and Ambrose Corbin, on the main country road to Petersburg, and is of good quality for the produce of tobacco, corn & small grain, and may be divided into Lots if deemed expedient on the day of sale.
THEOK. M'ROBERT, STOCKLEY TURNER, FLOYD TANNER, WILLIAM WIMBUSH. June 23, 1798.
At a court of Quarter Sessions held for Buckingham county the 12th of March, 1798,
David Pryor complainant,
Against
James Boyd defendant,
THE defendant not having entered his appearance and given security according to the act of assembly and the rules of this court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that he is not an inhabitant of this state; on the motion of the complainant by his counsel, It is ordered, that the said defendant do appear here on the first day of August term next, and answer the bill of the said complainant; and that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in some public newspaper of the city of Richmond for two months successively, and posted up at the front door of the courthouse of Buckingham county.
(A Copy.) Tesse, BOLLING BRANCH, D. C. B.,
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