The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-09-13

f9r avoiding to acknowledge il, l know not.
1t excited some reflections and suspicious at
the time, because it seemed tn be conforma-
bic 10 TIC views of the meCieting courts,
which tic court Of France ought not to have
countenanced
10 this letter wrote Immediately the fol-
lowing answer;
rcsassa Paris, July ls, 1891.
.sSIR,
s,,.I have received the letter which your ex-
.,cclIency did me the honour to write me this
day
i assure your excellency never had a
thought OF appearing upon the scene, or of
taking, enthusiastically or otherwise, any step
towards the two mcdiators. l must confess
to your cxccllency, that / have too many jea-
iousies of the motives, and too many appre-.
hensions OF the consequences of this ncgocia-'
lion, to be willing to take any part in it, with
out an express vocation. The English arc
totterng ON such a precipice, and are in such
a temper, that they will not hesitate at any
measure which they think can move every
latent passion, and awaken every dormant in
ttcrest in Europe, in order to embroil all the
world. Without looking much to conse-
quenccs, or weighing whether the quarrcls
them or not, they seem to think, the more
confusion they can make, the better. For
which reason, my fears; from the proposed
mediation are greater than my hopes.
Nevertheless, if properly called upon, it
WILDE my duty to attend to every step of it.
.srout there are many questions arising in my
mind, upon which,, in due time, should wish
TO know your cxccllency's opinion.
L hc two Imperial Courts have proposed
that there should be an American representa-
tive at the congress-. This is not merely by
implication, but expressly acknowledging,
That there is a belligerent power in America,
sof sufficient importance to be taken notice of,
BY them and the other powers Of Europe
One would think, after this, that the two I'M
perill Courts would have communicated their
propositions to congress. The propositions
, they have made, and communicated to the
courts of Fraficc, Spain and England, imply
that America Is power, q free and indepen-
dent power, as much as If they had commun-
icated them also to congress at Philadelphia.
Without such formal communication and
an invitation to the United States in congress
or to their representative here, by the two inn
.perial courts, do not see how an American
minister can, with strict propriety, appear at
the proposed congress, ct Vienna, at all ]
A~ts Esyer heard it intimated that they have
transmitted their propositions to Philadelphia.
Certainly have receivcdno instructions from
thence. Nor have received any intimations
of such propositions from any minister of
either of the mediating courts, although, as
my mission has been long publick and much
talked of, suppose it was well known to
both, that there was person in Europe, vest
cd by America with power to make peace.
II seems, therefore, that one step more might
have been taken, perfectly consistent with the
first, and that it may yet be taken, and that it
is but reasonable to expect that il will be.
How is the American minister to know
that there is q congress, and that it is expect
ed that he should repair to it I! And that
any minister from Great Britain, will meet
him there Is the British court or thei: am
bassador to give him notice This seems less |
probable than that the mediators should do it.
1 The dignity OF North America does not
indeed consist in diplomatick cercmonials, or
any ofthe subtlctics OF etiquette. 1t consists
solely in reason, Justice, truth, the rights
ofmankind, and the Interests of the nations
of Europe, all Of which, well understood, are
clearly in her favour. I Shall therefore never |
make unnecessary difficulties, on the score of |
ctieuette, and shall never insist on any thing |
OF this sort, which your Exceliency, or some
other minister of our allies, shall not advise |
me to, as indispensable. And therefore |
shall certainly go to Vienna, or elsewhere, if |
your. Excellency should invite or advise me
10 go.--But as these reflections occurred to |
rne upon the point of propriety, thought it |
my duty to mention them TO your EXceliency. |
have the honour to be, Sc.
ims af'w JOHN ADAMS.
Hs ErccHency The, Comts de Vergenncs.
~ In my next shall send you, some more
letters JOHN ADAMS.
Quincy, July ioth, 1909.