The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-05-10

ever vcnturedto give private opinion to en-
courageit.
To fhe Priafers Of the Boston Patriot.
sIRs,
= The institution of an Embassy to France in
1899, was made upon principle, and in con-
formity to a system of foreign affairs, formed
upon long deliberation, established in my
mind, and amply opened, explained and sup
ported in Congress, that is system of etern-
III Neutrality, if possible, in all the wars of
Europe, at least eighteen years before Presi-
dent Washington's Proclamation of Neutrali-
ty in l794.--For the truth of the antiquity of
this system, appeal TO Judge CHASE, who
made the first motion in Congress for enter
ing into foreign relations This motion was
made in concert with me, and was seconded
by me. If l am incorrect in my circum-
stance, that gentleman can set me right. And
here feel pride in acknowledging that per-
haps no two members of Congress were at
that time upon more intimate terms. We
ilickered, disputed, and wrangled in publick
and private, but always with species of good
humour that never was suffered to diminish
the confidence, esteem, or affection of either
in the other. l have long wished for fair
opportunity of transmitting to posterity my
humble testimony to the virtues and talents of
that able and upright magistrate and states
man.
Our system was to form Treatic, Of Com
merce with France, Spain, Holland, and all
the other Nations of Europe, even with Eng
land herself, upon footing of entire equality,
but. by no means to form any political or mill
tary connections with any Power in Europe,
or engage in any hostilities against any,unlcss
driven to them by necessity to support our
Independence and honour, or our Just and ne
cessary interests. In what manner and by
whose means this plan has ever been aban-
doned in any degree, could detail from step
to step, but it would require volume, and is
not necessary here. 1t has never been forgot
ten by me, but the rectitudc and wisdom of it
has been confirmed by every years and days
experience from 1875 to 1899, and indeed to
1909. y
This introduction will be called pompous,
no doubt, and it will be thought an astonishing
instance of the bathos, to descend from Judge
Chase to Mr.. Logan, but my plan requires it.
With this system clear in my head, and
deeply impressed upon my heart, it was with
the utmost reluctance THAT found myself un-
der Necessity in 1898, OF having recource to
hostilities against France. But the conduct
OF that government had been SO unjust, arbit-
rary and insolent, as to become intolerable.
therefore animated this Nation to war deter
mined however to listen to every proposal,
and embrace the first opportunity to restore
peace, whenever il could be done consistently
with the honour and interest of the country
In this spirit gave all due attention and con-
sidc~ation to Gen. WAsHrNGToN's and Mr.
BARLow's Letter nor was l wholly inatten-
tive to multitude of other circumstances,
some of which shall be mentioned.
Perhaps at no period Of our connection with
France has there ever been such flood of
private Letters from that country to this as in
the winter 1898 and 1899. The contents of
many of them were directly or indirectly
communicated to me. They were all in a
similar stain with that of Mr. Barlow, that the
French Government had changed their ground
and were sincerely disposed to- negotiation,
and accommodation. / will instance only
two. Mr.. Goldman of Boston wrote largely
and explicitly to his friends to the same pur-
pose, andhis worthy brother the late Mr.. John
Goldman of Boston, not only communicated to
me the substance of his brothers letters but
thanked me in warm terms, for opening a
negotiation ; and added, that every true friend
of this country who was not pisoned with par
ty spirit, would thank me for it and support
me in it, Mr.. Nathaniel Cutting, Consul
in France under President Washingtons ap-
pointment, and sensible man, wrote almost
as largely as Mr. Barlow, and to the same ef-
feet
shall conclude this letter with another am
ecdote. Mr.. Logan, of Philadelphia, gen.
tleman Of fortune and education, and certain
ly not destitute of abilities, who had for sew
eral years been member Of the Legislature
of Pennsylvania, and has since been sena-
tor Of the United States, though knew he
had been one Of the old constitutional party in
that state, and Jealous disciple Of that de-
mocratical school, which has propagated ma
ny errours in Am erica, and, perhaps, many
tragical catastrophics in Europe went To