The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-06-14

ArSf1Vattntg. Ia rstit-c ~ Wso SeiyPo9Cu eh"e
the government of the United States, wished
only the appearances oi a negotiation, whence.
resultetl q eerfain demand for Pledges Of good
.flit5.
Let.us substitute calmncss for passion, con-
fitience for suspicious, and we shall soon
agree. / used my endcavoprs 70 enter upon a
negociatinn in this spirit, with MIR. GERRy.
My correspondence with him, until the day
of his departure, is cur'ous monumcnt of
advances On my part, and OF cvasinns OH his.
II wrong to think that Iconfined myself TO
vague protestations. Among that series Of
official Letters, which will doubtless be pub
lished at Philadelphia, select ons of the
soth Prairial, wherein you will see that ]
make very positive propositions, without any
mixture ofPreliminary, conditions. This let
ter was followed by three notes upon the Ar.
sicles to be discussed, and intended to COM
pletc the others in this manner, if Mr.. Gerry
had not refused, 70 answer thereto.
When it became necessary 10 abandon the
. idea Of treating with that envoy, who thought
it Important only TO- know how a. negotiation
might thereafter be resumed, /. gave him the
most solemn assurances concerning the re-
ccption that anew pIenipotentiary would re-
ccivc. N.was Gar, from my thoughts to insin-
the United States, instead of investing with
his powers some one who was. in Europe. !;
far less that tho cntoy should land directly in
france, instead of announcing It in neigh
boring country, n wished merely 70 say that
the Executive Directory was so decided for a
reconciliation, that all tanapering would. be
supcrnuons, thatan act of confidence 1T,
would excite its own. 4 should be very bad
ly understood, il there should be found in my
expressions, d restriction on the nature of
the choice which the. President might make.
1 wished to encourage Mr.. Gcrryby tcsti-
incnies Of regard, that bis good intentions
Incritcd. Although could not dissemble
that he wanted decision at z moment when he
might have easily adjusted every thing 1t
does not thence follow that designated him
/ VIII even avow that think him too irreso-
lutte to be fit to hasten the conclusion Of an
affair of this kind. The advantages that |
priced in him are common to all Americans,
who have not manifested prcdiiection for
England. Can it be believed that man who
should profess a hatred or contempt Of the
French Rcpvbiick, or should manifest him
sefthc advocate Of royalty, can inspire the
Directory with favourable opinion of the dis
pcsitions of the government of the United
States ! should have disguised the truth,if
had left this matter ambiguous it is not to
wound the independence of that government,
70 point out to sincere friend of peace, the
shoals nc ought to avoid.
AS to the mediation Of the Batavian Re-
paiblick and of Spain, do not know that
.here Is any y,serious question about il, and it
appears to me absolutely useless The Uni
ted States might hesitate, in the present state
OF things; to refer themselves to their impair
tiality, and besides see; no subject which,
may not be arranged directly,
know that the distance Which separates
France and the United States opens vast
field for Incident, and there have been but too
many Of them. But tho Executive Dirccto-
nv Is unshalken in the conduct which may best
icbyiate them. The excess even of provoca-
-tions has deadcncd their ciTcct--Thc govern
.ncnS Of the United States surrounds itself
with precautions against an Imaginary attack.
TO stretch tho hand to dcludcd friends, is
what one rcpublick owes toanother,and cam
not doubt that the dignity of that attitude viii
conyincc-thc President of our .pacihck dispo.
sitions.
Tic two governmc,,.s ought above all to
be attentive to indirect attempts to ALLEVIATE
them still more. Their prudence will secure
ILLS oOltCt, GiNl StsIf Sitc Oul CllC CSdIilplc
Uf it, You have told Mr.. Murray the truth
respecting DR.. Logan. But perceive, that
on all kands it is attempted to produce
beliefin America, that we are negotiating
with him. On the 7th Of this month very
insidious paragraph was inserted in the
" Bien Informe." 1t is therein intilnsted,
that guided by the citizen Thomas Paine, DR..
s-ogan has made application to the Exccu-
live DIRECTORY, in the character Of secret a.
gent The Doctor has complained Of it bit
tcrly to me. He has no need of justifying
himself concerning matter, the falsity Of
which know better than any body but he
assured nie that having oIicc met Thomas
Paine, at the house Of "a third person, he
found him SO prejutiiccd against the United
States, and so opinicnaitvc, with respect to