The Potowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1790-1798, 1796-12-08
PHILADELPHIA, NOVEMBER IL.
E a A----s vi 80
s.ef.~ AUTHENTIC.

n
A AUTHENTIC.
Trsnaation Of Note from the Miniaer of the
French Republic, TO the Secretary Of State OF the
United States.
% Lepaiau IF PHILADELPHIA.
THE uhderigled Mniter Plenipotentiary Of the
L French Republic, now ll6ls TO the Secretary
State Of the United Statss5 panfnlbut sacred
dnty. He claims, in the name Of American honor.
in the OF the faith OF Treaties, the execution
Of that which afsured to the United Stares
their exitanxe, and which France regarded as the
pledge Of the mott facred union between two peo-
pie, the freelt upon earth in word he announces
TO the secrctsry of Stat. the reolution OF Govern
ment terrible To its enemies, but generous TO ITS
allies.
1t would have been pisaGug to the undersigned
Miniter Pienipotentiary have only TO exPres, on
the prefent occahop. the attachment whichhs go
vernrnenr bears tn: American people, the VOWS
which il forms for their PROPERTY, for their hap
pnets. HIS heart therefore is grieved at The cir
cnmitanccs which impoie upon him different talk.
With regret he finds himfel compelled fubfritute
The tone of reproach for the Language of frendihip
With regret alo his government has ordered him
take that tooe; bur thar very triendihp has rem
dered it ndiipenbe. Its obligations iacred men,
are as acred TO governments and it friend often
ded by FRIEND can juftly complain, the govern
nent Of the United Stares, after the Underhgned
logue of grievances Of the French Republic, will
not be furPried to fee the Executive Directory, ma
nfeitng rh-ir TOO jult dfcontents.
When Europe role up agaiuit the Republic at its
birth, menaced ii with all the horrors of var and
of famine when every fde the French could Hor
calculate upon any but enemies. their thoughts
turned towards America iweet ienEiment then
mingled it{elf with thofe proud fentiments which
the prefence of danger and the dere of repelng it
in In
friends. Thofe who went to brave temPeits and
death upon the ocean, forgot all dangers in order
to indulge the hope of WHITING that American CONT
nent where, for the 6rt time, the French colours
bad been difplsyed in favor cf liberty. Under the
guarantee of the law OF nations, under the protect
ing thade ofa folemn treaty, they expected to find
in the ports of the United States asy lum fore
as al home they thought, if may ule the exprefi
on, there TO find a eco1d country. The French 60
vernment thought as they did. o! hope worthy
of faithful people, how haft thou been deceived
So far from Offering to the French the iuccours
which friendfhip might have given without compro-
mitting it, the American government, in this re-
tpect violated the letter oftrea,ies.
The 18th article of he treaty of amity and com
merce of I77S itatcs, that French vessels of war,
and tho(e of the United States, as well thoie
which thall have been armed for war by iDdivi ais
of the two itates, may freely conduct where y
pleafe the prizes they ihal have made upon 3.s >ir
enemies, without being fubject to any admirall OF
other duty without the laid velsels, on ente'
into the harbours ports of France, of the =
ted States, being liable to be arreed or ieized or
the officers of thole places taking coenzanee of the
validity Of the faid prizes which may depart and
be conducted freely and in full liberty TO the places
expressed in their commaions which the captain
OF the fad Vessel hsll be obliged thew and that
the contrary. ihelter refuge ihall be given
to tboie who ibsl have made prizes upon The French
or Americans and that if they ihouId be forced by
ftrels of weather the danger Of the Tea enter,
they ihall be made TO depart as loon pcfible.
In contempt of theie tipulations, The French pri-
have been arreIted in the United States as
we'll their prizes; the tribunals have taken cog.
nizance of the validity or invadty of lhole prizes.
it were vain to ferk to juty theie proceeding, I'M
der the pretext Of the right of vndicaing the COM
promitred neutrality Of the listed States. The
facts about be taed will prove that this pretext
has been the ource of knocking perfecurons sgainlt
the French prvsteers, aud that the conduet of the
Federal Government. has been but ferries OF viola
tions of the nth article Of the treaty ofI778.
On the 4h of Auguit, SO, circular letter of the
Secretary of the Treafury was fent to all the Col
lectors of the Cuftoms: 1t accompanied regulate
adopted by the Pre(dent, prohibiting all arma-
ments in favor of the belgerent powers. hefe re-
gulations Immediately acquired the force ofaw, and
the agents Of the government, and the tribunal Is
concurred in their execution. They gave them a
retrospective effect, and caued to be eized in the