Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-05-23

purmsded that their Resentment was too
great to admit of it. He seemed also to
snprehend, that in consequence of the in.
credible exertions of Great Britain, and
rne uneouiyocal evidence she had given of
her ability to defend herself, they were in
cl;ned to avenge their injuries, by an ALI.
ance with her and that, should France
come forward with overtures, on the plan
ef a treaty, she would fail therein, and com
promit her honor. ] was nevertheless of o.
pinion, chat should France be just and libe-
raj in her measures, the government of the
United States would still meet her on the
rround of accumulation. My judgement
was the result of their instructions for I
had never received any other official iutcli-
yence since my departure from America
Ihave therefore uniformly inculcated that
sentiment.
Having been thus in a situation, where
in, admidst series of events, each has
been productive of fresh embarrassmeiits,
I have invariably pursued what TO me ap-
peared the honor, interest and welfare OF
my country, and been guided by the sense
of the government, as far as could ascer-
tain it.
Ifthe door IS still open to peace, the es-
tabIishment of it must be an happy event
from calamities, which notwithstanding de-
lusive appearances, will, with short inter-
walls, probably continue for half century
to exhaust and depopulate Europe.
Ertraet from the letter of On. MAs.
!. TALLsxRAsD, ENJOY Of the United
States, dated Paris, July %, 1898.
You repeat to me that the government
of the United States has always been dis
posed to terminate amicably the differen-
ces which subsist between the two repub-
lies. This fresh assurance, at time when
hostile demonstrations have Just been made,
could not but temper their effect. But let
a frank. candid, and truly amicable act
speedily realize those dispositions. Far
from entering into the answers of the Pre-.
sident to the addresses which have been
presented to him from different parts of
the United States, whatsoever they may
be, would fain behold in his expressions
nothing but political expedient. l do not
thence JUDGE less favoraby of the true in
tentions, which you profess in his name,
and ! would NOT have engaged you to war
rant the success of the first proof, which
re will render of them, if the Executive
Directory, which was ready TO receive you,
had not made a fixed determination upon
the subject. A negotiation may therefore
Il
myself you have observed nothing but tes-
timonies of esteem, and where every envoy
who shall unite your advantages cannot
fail TO be well received. Moreover, know
nor, sir, why you tell me that it would be
requisite to lop from this negotiation every
preliminary respecting loan, aud explana-
tions on the subject OF the speeches deliv-
ered. Be pleased to read over again the
propositions which transmitted to you on
the Both Prairial, Hume lS, they Contain
all the ideas of the French government
and you will not find IN them word which
justties your recurring to those two ques-
tons. An odious intrigue had got possess
sion of them: the dignity of the French
government could not permit this mixture;
and il did not wish that views as pure as
its own should be associated herewith here
after. AS to the preliminary measures,
which you suggested, sir, the government
has already anticipated your desire. BY
information which it has just received, it
indeed learns that vioences have been
committed upon the commerce and citizens
OF the United States in the West Indies,
and on their coasts. Do it the justice to
believe, that it needs only to know the facts,
to disavow all acts contrary to the laws of
the Reptile and its own DEGREES. A reme-
dy IS preparing for it, and orders will
soon arrive in the West Indies, calculated
to cause every thing to return within its
just limits, until an anicable arrangement
between France and the United States.
shall re-establish them respectively in the
enjoyment of their treaties.
To Mr., Gerru Enuou Of the U,,if,9