The gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1798-1799, 1798-12-24

come the lure foundation OF national PROPERTY
/ and glory.
The courie Of the tranfa6tions II relation W
;he United States & France, which have come
p my knowledge dEring your recefs, viii W.
made the lubj,d Of future commurication.-
| That communication will confirm the ultimate
failure Of the meafures, which have bqen taken
| by he government Of The Uni ed STATES, to-
wards an amioable adufmeht IF dii2reaces
with that power. You viii at the fame time
perceive, that the French government appears
toiitouS to impress tie opiuion, that Il IS averl.
10 rupture with this country, and that il has
in a qualified manner, declared itielf wiling tn
receive a MiniRer from the United States, for
the PurPole Of reGorng good understanding.
1t IS unfortunate for projections Of this KIND,
that they ihoulI be exPrefed in terms which
may countenance the inadmilihle pre,enjon cf
a right 70 prelcribe The qualifications which r
MunHer from the United States ih0uld poHels,
ana that While France is Altering the exiaence
II z dlPohuon On her part TO conciliate with
HncerIty h differences which have arilcn, The
iincerty OF Ike difpoilion on the part of the
Uni ed States, Of which fo many dtmonltrative
proofs have been given, fhould even be indirect
IY qneiioncd. Il il ALTO worthy Of oblervation
that the decree Of the Directory al.edged to be
intended 70 re!iraia the Expectations Of French
crIidrs pr our commerce, has not given ana
cannot give any relief ; il enons them to con-
iorm 10 Al the laws Of France rell.ive to cruz
eng and prizes, while theG- laws he, them
telvcs, the iources Of the depreda-ions Of which
We have ~ long, II juRly, and IL fuitlelsy
complained.
The law Of France enaaed in January lat.
which fabj7d' to capiu and condemnation
neutral velels and their ca-goes, if any portion
OF the Latter are ot brtilh fab il y produce, al
though the entire property belong GO neurals,
Inltead ot being rrlcindel, has lately receive 4
conhrmltlcn, by tie failure Of proportion for
IFS rePeal. Wi!e this law, which Is an une-
1uvocal at of war On the commerce of the ma
tons Z attacks, continues in force, thofc R4tons
can tde in tie Z ench COVE nnltnt only pow
or reg rdlcls Of their tiIsntial rights, If their
Independence and fovreiEnty and ii they poi
eis the means, thcy can on-ie.nCthir{ wish
their int ct and hon.ur, but firm rslit.
1nce.
Hitherto therefore, noth;0g IS d;lcovsrable II
the conduit Of France, which ought 10 chance
or relax our mealure. If defence ! ~ III. con-
tray, to ex'eod & invigorate th,m, is our true
policy. We have 10 rrAton ID regret thar thc(a
lued and in proportion as we enlarge our view
If The Port,ntious and iucalculAble htuation Of
Europe, VIC iha ! dilcover rev and cogent mo-
lives for the full devrlopemeut IF our energies
and re'ouyces.
But in demorarating BY our conduit, thar
We 90 not fear war, IN the n-ceHarY protection
4 cur rights & honour, we thalI give no room
tJ inter hit we abandon the defre of Pace
q IF -,
Iure peace. Il IS peace that we have uniformly
and PreiervlngIy cultivated, and harmony BE-
tween US and France may be refored at her
option But 70 lenJ another minifer, without
more discriminate ahlrlnces that he would be
received, would be an a9.of humil ation-towhilh
the United States ought not 10 Iubnit Ii
mutt therefore BE left TO France, if ihe i, indeed
delrous Of accommodation, 10 take the requ.
ite Heps.
The United Safes will Readily obferre The
maxiHs BY which they have hitherto been GOV.
erned. They VIII refrea the r4cred rights Of
embaliy. Ana with fn--.e dif5uftion Oh the
part OF France ID dlGf from hoaility, to NIKE
rePara'ion for the injuries heretofore cammit.
ted on our commerce, AMI u III iutce in tu-
ture, there will be M obaacls to The reQoraton
q friendly intercoar.e. In making u YOU
this declaration, give Pledgo to France and
70 the world, That the Executive authority Of
this country Till adheres to the hamane and
pacific policy, which has Invariably governed
is proceedings, II conformity with he vihes
OF the other branches of The Government and
Of the people Of the United States But a.
hdeIng the late manifestations Of her policy TO-
wards foreign nations, deem i a GUY d-ibe-
ratey and foicmnly to declare my opinion, Hat
whether we negotiate with her or rot, woo
rous preparations war. WI be Ea III III
Penhble. Ihele alone will give to u, al equal
treaty an iniure lbs ,bi.rvauee
Among the mea(-r>s cf preparation, which