The National Register.
London, England, 1811-07-14 00:00:00

SUNDAY, JULY l4, 1811.

POLITICAL
.1)ISQ

' No. 171.
SECRET TREATT.IETWEEN PRANCE AND AME-

RICA.

~ ,

The secret nrrangement between France and
America, which we traced in our last Number, out
of a particular sentence in NAPOLEON'S speech to
the Legislative Body, has now received its full,
and, we may say, official confirmation. A know-
ledge of its existence is betrayed in many parts of
Commodore Romans's account of the action
with the Little Belt, which has just reached
us, and Abe principles until then covertly acted
upon by the American Government, have, in con-
sequence of that dacument.and the occasion which
gave it birth, been since openly avowed, as will be
seen, by the following extract

Little Belt, - approbation of
the United States, and that the request of the Corn-
znodore, for an investigation into his conduct on
the occasion has not been axeded to; his known
candour and honour precluding any doubt of the
correctness of his statement of the circumstances of
the affair, and we assert that it may confidently be
expected by our Naval Commanders, that in sup-
porting the dignity of our flag, they will be rewarded
with the applause of the American Government."
Here beside the false assertion that we began the
attack and therefore rendered it the duty of Com-
modore RODGERS to repel and chastise our causeless
and rash aggression, we are officially informed that
the conduct of that officer, has met with the unqua-
lified 41 approbation of the PRESIDENT of the United
States;" who, it appears, was even so fully bent on
fulfilling the terms of the treaty with France, that,
although he knew this was a transaction on which
the fate of war and peace depended, he refused to
make any inquiry into the business, relying entirely
on the statement of one man, which in matters of
such importance ought never to be received without
being questioned and verified. This, at best, would
prove the PR ESIDEIsIT guilty of anunpardonable
ference to the interests of his country and of roe—
CLXXXV.

• -
-

both of whom the levity of his conduct must in-

volve into a war. But other causes may be pointed
out, beside indifference, for his preventing an in.

quirt' into the origin of this affair. Such an investi-
gation must have brought to lirht the secret ar-
rangements formed with NAPOLEON, and deprived

the United States of even a pretence, although most
futile and unfounded, for joining the leagued Powers

of the European Continent in hostilities against
us. Should the flames of war speedily blaze on the
American shores, the PRESIDICNT will tell the walla
that we are the aggressors, and impressing that be-
lief on the minds of the citizens of the United

States, who are not acquainted with the mysterious

, transactions of their Government, will induce them
to bear more patiently the privations and immense
losses to which a state of hostility 'with this country
ts;ast expose them. The justice of the cause, how..
will decide the fate of the contest. When Sir
a squaZron, small
.4k*rpailtd- with the
dertiands not only an

reparation for the offence corn-
Izers, it is possible that the
PRESIDENTmay feel the folly of his conduct,but it will
then be too late to recede. He is no longer bound

only by secret treaties, he has caused it to be pub-
licly announced, in almost the very words used by
NApoLrom, 1g that Commodore Rodgers has only sup-
ported the dignify of the American flag, and that in
so doing, the Naval Commanders of the United
States will be rewarded with the applause of the
American Government." After such a declara-
tion, it is no longer in his power, without standing
in the face of the world self-convieted of wilful
falsehood, tending to plunge his country into all the
horrors of war, to make the apology and give the
reparation which will be required. Nothing short
of the dismissal of Commodore RODGgItS from the
American service can satisfy offended 'Neutrality
and appease the manes of the brave saitors whom
his unprovoked aggression has destroyed. But how
can the PRESIDENT, who has rewarded him pub.
licly with his 44 approbation and applause," now
alter his language and degrade '64 the supporter of
the dignity of the American flag." This decision
of the merits of the most important question that
has ever arisen between this Country and the
71;104ed States, on a partial and interested state

ca
.10 471* NiVrc rlWWitapcyfftt juNg 3. ever, will decide the fate of the
- that giadoirtit Camino- Joaptt Tomtit, at the head of-
ore Romans, in repaint 4/01 ttesdistit trialibow. ilk l when •
ack so causelessly and rashly made on the United whole of the American Navy, de
lutes frigate President,, by the British ship of war inquiry but a signal reparation fl
.ittle Belt, has the approbation of the President of witted on one of our cruizers, it
e„11..,,chL