The gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1798-1799, 1798-05-21


ID cxiil in the goseraFaent o. The United States,
unsricnily to this Republic, and partial 20
vards its enemies.
Tint COVE nment, alonifbed7at rcproach
70 urrounled IN fa6b 70 contradi1eG by its de
elaT1,inn; and its conduit, could fcarcely- con-
iider tbs charge as ferrous, and his ever che
iilhei The hope, that candid review of its
conduit founded on the docnments and aided
~ the Arguments with which the Executive
Directory has been f1rR:lhed, would have
rifspsd i from The injurious fulpicion This
hope Gems rot to have been realized. The
uaierigned, therefore, deem it proper TO pre-
cede their application for that iuhice which
they claim from France by an effort to remove
the eauf., which is a.ledged TO have produced
the injuries of which they complain. With
this view, they pray the attention Of the Execu-
tive Directory TO ferrous and candid recon
fderatisn Of the leading neafures adopted By
the government Of the Uaited States, and they
pcfiaade lhemltlves, that however various and
multiplied he channels may be, through which
lui5nformation, concerning the ddpoiitions Of
thlt government, my have been received, yet
his reconsideration mutt remove unfounded
prciu4ic,s, and entirely exculPate the American
nation from an accuiation It knows to be IN
founded, and believes to be Imported by no
Jingle fad.
when the war which has been waged with
iuoh unparalleled fury. which in its var vicfr.
iludcs Of fortune, has alternately threatened
ire very exiHence Ct the conflicting parties bur
which, in its progrefs, has furrounded France
with fuch fplendor, aud added Gill more toher
glory than her territory; when that war FRI
involved thgle nations, With whom the United
States we're il habits of friendly intercourle, it
became incumbent on their government to ex-
anime their htuation, their connexions, and
their duties. AmsTica found herfelf at peace
with all tn. belligerent powers. She was con-
nsQed with fome Of them by treaties Of ami;y
and commerce, and with France by treaty Of
alliAnce alto. Thefe feveral treaties were con-
hdered with the mott ferrous atteption, andwith
a lincere with TO determine by fair contribution.
the obligations which they Fealiy mPsfed.-
The refult Of this inquiry was full conviction,
that her engagements by no means bound her
q AXE part in the var, but left her 70 far the
miitrels of her own conduit as to be at perfea
liberty to oblerve a fyaem Of real neutrality. Il
is deemed unnecehary TO aRaalize thole treaties
IN order to fuPport the Proprety Of this dec-
zion, becaule it is not recolected ever to have
been queRioned, and is believed not TO admit
Of doubt.
Being bound by no duty to enter into the
war. the government ofthe United States con
ceiYed itfeif bound By duties the mott Hcred
10 abfain from it. Contemplating man, even
IL different focie;y, as the friend of man,
Rate Of peace though unaipulated by treaty,
wasconidcred as impoGng obligations, not to
be wantonly violated.
Thefc Obligations created by the laws of ma
ture, were in fome inttances strengthened by
iolemn exiting engagements, Of which good
faith required religious oblervance-
To fente Of moral right, other coniders-
tons Of the greateG magnitude were added,
which forbade the government Of the United
States to plunge them unnecefarily into the
miicries Of the bloody conAid then commencing.
The great nations Of Europe, either impelled
by ambition, or By exiting or fuppoled political
intereas, peculiar to themfelves, have confirmed
more than third of the prefent century in
wars. Whatever caules may have produced
70 afllaing an evil, they cannot be fuppoled to
have been entirely exiting uihed, and humanity
can farcely indulge the hope, that the temper
or condition of man is 70 altered as 10 exempt
the next century from the Ills ofthe paa.
Strong Notifications, powerful navies, i'm
menfe armies, the accumulated wealth of ages
ard a full population, enable the nalion, Of
Europe, 10 furport tho!e wars in which they
are induced TO engage, by motives which they
deem adequate, and by inteTelis ineuively
their own. In allrefPeds different is the ftua-
tion Of The United States ;-PoheGed of an ex
tenliye unfettled territory, on which bountifnl
nature has beloved with layifh hand all the
capacities for future legitimate greatness, they
indulge no thzt for conquel, no ambition for
The extenlion Of their limits. Encireled by no
dangerous powers they neilher fear, nor are
Jealous Of their neighbours, and are rot on that
account obliged to arm for their fafcty. Sc.
cro~a Ixr, VA