The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-04-25

a. 49,, ,s PARIS, I'd Oct. 1898.
Sin.
On hearing of your late nomination as
Commander i'll Chief of the American ar
MES, rejoice at It,, not because ] believe
the war which that nomination contemplates
is yet inevitable, and that it will furnish an
occasion for a further display of your militia
ry talents, but because it may enable you to
exert your influence to greater effect, in pre-
venting the war, by becoming more the CEN
tire OF information tan you could be in your
retirement, you will be better able to nudge
ct the dispositions of both countries, and to
offer such counsels to your government as may
tend to remove the Obstacles that will oppose
themselves to a reconciliation you
now President of the u. States, should not
address you this letter, because, not knowing
my inclination for the tranquility of a retired
life, you might think that was seeking a
place, or had some farther object in view,
than the simple one of promoting peace be-
tween the two republics. But hope, under
present circlrIi stances, that you viii believe
my motive to be pure and unmixed, and that
the object of m: letter is to call your atten-
ton to the true state of facts.
Perhaps few men, who cannot pretend to
have been Ill the secrets of either government,
are III better situation than myself TO Judge
or the motives of both; to assign the true
causes, and trace out the progress of their
unhappy misunderstanding, or to appreciate
their present dispositions, pretensions and
wishes. am certain there is none who Ia
bors more sincerely for the restoration of har-
mony, upon terms honorable to the United
States and advantageous to the cause of Ii
berty.
Will not in this place so over the history
OF past transactions. 1t would be of little
uSe.--lhe object : n cPizp tho IaI
ats present state and try to arrest its pro-
6 ess. The dispute at this moment may be
characterized simply and literally speaking,
a mfshnder Starding--I cannot persuade
myself to give it harsher name, as it APP
Plies to either government. 1t is clear that
neither OF them has an interest in going to
war with the other, and am equally con
WINGED that neither of them had the inclina-
ton ; that is, believe the balance of iDclina-
ton as well as of interest, on both sides, is
III favor of peace. But each government,
though sensible of this truth with respect
to itself, is ignorant of it, with respect to the
other. Each believes thu other determined
on war, and ascribes all its conduct To a deep
rooted hostility. The least they can do,
therefore under this impression, is to pre-
pare for an event which they both believe in
evitable, while they both wish to avoid it
But by what fatality is it, that calamity so
dreadful must be rendered inevitable because
it is thought so! Both governments have
tongues and both have ears. WHY will thew
not speak? Why will they not listen? The
causes which have hitherto prevented them
are not difficult to assign. / could easiy ex-
plain them, as believe, to the satisfaction of
both parties, and without throwing so much
blame on either government, as each Of them
atpresent ascribcs to the other. But will :
void speaking ofany past provocation OH either
side. The point that / wish to establish in
your is, that the French Directory is az
present sincerely desirous of restoring harmo-
ny between this country and the u. States
OH terms honorable and advantageous 20 both
parties. i wish to convince you of this, and
through you, the American government, be-
Cause that g.N erilment being DESTROYS of the
same thing. would not fail to take such steps
as would lead Immediately to the object.
In Offering you my proofs of the presen.
disposition OH this side, you will permit me
to observe, that some of them arc from their
natu"r incapable of being detailed, and o.
thcrs improper to be trusted 10 the casualties
ct Il letter. But viii mention few that
arc ostensible. and so far as they lo, uudeni-
able. First, the Directory has declared.
that it will receive and treat with any Mi.
mister from America. who shall appear to be
sent with "a sincere intention Of treating and
terminating e:,isthg difficulties. have no
doubt hut this was the intention when the last
Enroys were sent; but from some unfortu-
nate circumstances, the Directory did not
believe IT, Second, as d preliminary, il has
/ been declared, that Ill the negotiation there