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

DESTROYS to inform Congress of fevcry
step OF my proceedings, wrotea letter, on
the 18th IN these words, to the President:
Paris, Jay IS, 1871.
SIR,
have. the honour to enclose copy Of
letter to the Conte De Vcrgcnnes, and Of
certain articles and their answers. "a
The British Court proposed To the Impc-
rial Courts, a congress, upon two prclimina-
ny conditions, d,c rupture of the treaty with
France, and the return Of America to their
obedience. The two Imperial Courts have
since proposed the enclosed articles. Spain
and France have prepared their answers.
England has not answered yct.---And no min
listers are yet commissioned or appointed by
any power. If she accepts the terms,
should not scrupIc TO accept them too, except
ing the arinistice and statu quo. hut mean
| should not insist upon a previous explicit
acknowledgement Of the sovereignty of the
United States before went to Vienna. /
see nothing Inconsistent with the character or
dignity Of the United States, in their minister
going TO Vienna, ut the same time whcn min
listers from the other powers arc there, and
entering into treaty with British minister,
without any acknowledgment explicitly OF our
independence, before the conclusion of the
treaty. The very existence of such con-
gress would be of use to our reputation
But cannot yet believe that Britain will
wave her prclminarics. She will still insist
upon the dissolution OF the treaty, and upon
| the return of the Americans Under their go
veInmcnt. This, however, will do no honour
! to her moderation and pacific sentiments, in
the opinion of the powers Of Europe.
Something may grow out Of these ncgo-
cations, in time, but 1t will probably be sew
eral years before any thing can be done.
Americans only can quicken these ncgocia-
tons by decisive strokes. No dcrrcdations
upon their trade no conquests of their pos
sessions in the East or West Indies will have
any effect upon the English to induce them
TO make peace, While they see they have an
army in the United States ard can fattcr
themselves with the hope OF conqucring or
regaining America. Because they think, that
with America under their government, they
can easily regain whatever they may loose
row in any part of the world. Whereas the
total expulsion or captivity OF their forces In
the United States, would cxtinguish their
hopes and persuade them to peace, sooner
than the loss of every thing else. The bel
hgcrent powers and tho neutral powers may
hattcr themselves witt, the hopes Of rcs,ora-
tion Of peace, but they will all be disappoint-
ed, while the English have soldier in Amer
ica. II is amazing to me that France and
Spain do not see it, and direct their forces ac-
cordingF. have the honour to be,
e@ JOHN ADAMS.
President Of Congress.
AS l received no answer TO my letter to
| sh Ia x,f h. osk <c In
ly /; and as was very dcsirous Of obtaining
his sentiments, or at least some further infor-
nation or explanations from him, wrote a.
gain with this view OH the 10th.
Paris, Juty ie, i7sL
Sin,
Since my letter Of the iSth, upon further
reflection, have thought it necessary to OK.
plain myself little more particularly, in
some points, to your excellency. ttt
If comprehend the facts, the British
Court first proposed to the Imperial Courts,
congress and q mediation, upon two condi-
tons. !. The dissolution of the treaties be-
tween France and the United States. 2. The
return of the Americans under the British
government. In consequence of this propo-
sal from st. James, the two Imperial Courts
have made the proposition of the articles,
(Which were shcwn 10 me) to courts Of
France, Spain and England, neither of which
has yet given It's answer. Their Imperial
Msjesties have omitted the two conditions
which the British court insisted ON as prclim-
inarics, and mean to admit representative Of
the United States to the congress, to ncgo-
ciatc separately with the British minister,
without ascertaining the title or character Of
the American representative, until the two
pacihcations shall be accomplished.
am, in my own mind, apprehcnsive,
though devoutIy wish may be mistaken,
that the British court, in their answer to the
articles, will adhere to their two preIiminar-
les. 1t is very convenient Sor the English to
hold UP the itca ofpeacc Il serves them TO