Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-05-31

Of many wrongs-rhe proceedings of her
government were so extraordinary as to
induce an opinion that they must have aris-
en- from strange prsludices, transformation,
OF Misrepresentation, relative to the conduct
OF the government of the United States. A
hope therefore was entertained, that when
the truth of facts should be fairly and fully
exhibited to the French government, it
would be satisfied; and regulate its mea-
sures towards the United States, by the
stipulalions of treaties, the rules of public
law, and the duties of friendship, which,
on the part of the United States, was sin.
cere and cordial towards France. The
Presidents, Washington aud Adams, sent
one embassy after another, to the French
government, to explain every act of the A.
merican government of which that of France
complained-to give and to ask reparation
for injuries, which could be supported by
proof--and earnestly to seek reconcilia-
ZION. But all these attempts of the Ameri.
can government to settle every point ofdif.
ference by negotiation, were fruitless. Our
ministers were rejected, rudely and igno.
minously rejected: and among other IN
their minister Talleyrand, required loan
of money to vast amount, besides a doi..
ceuy, inplain English, bride, of fifty thou.
| sand pounds acknowledgements of two
hundred thousand dollars for their own
pockets, as preliminary, to induce them,
| to open their cars to hear our respectfully re.
presentations! This shameless demand
| and other understandable acquisitions, were
refused, and our ministers returned
These proceedings ofthe French govern.
ment, and the vast depredations on oul
commerce committed by virtue of its I'm.
just and outrageous DEGREES, had demon.
strated that the complaints and claims ofths
French government had been advanced
not to obtain restoration of violated rights
(for we had violated money but as pre-
tence for trampling on ours.
The United States had then to cho ose
Cetween absolute submission to the views
and will of the French government--or,
reused by its insults and injuries, to resist
its oppression, Happily there was at tina,
| time no disposition in the American 60.
vernment to conceal the enormities of France
or to check and palsy the rising spirit of our
citizens. The voice was general" Mil.
| lions for defence, not cent for tribute
The government determined to rcsist-pre-
pared for war-armed public and private
vessels to protect and defend our commerce
and repel French aggressions.
AS soon as the French government found
its mistake-that with all our friendship for
France, there was then too much independ-
ence of spirit to submit to unlimited depre-
dations on our commerce, and insults on
the national honor-When France found
her party in the u States, whose strength
she had boosted, was OVERCOME (for TO our
eternal disgrace France had then as she now
has, devoted party in the bosom of our
country)-When she saw numerous YES
sells armed and sent to sea to protect our
commerce, and her own public as well as
private armed ships captured, and brought
into our ports: Then the French govern.
ment, abandoning its unfounded < arrogant
demands, came forward and protested its
desire of peace and reconciliation.
The same course, if Mr.. Jefferson and
MIR. Misunderstanding as the chiefs OF a
nation ought to feel tor its just rights, no.
nor and independence, most auociously
violated by the present ruler of France; if
with the integrity and spirit becoming their
station they had adopted the same course |;
it would have produced the like effect. Or
If II failed: if the arrogance of the single
despot who now governs France, as much
surpasscs the pride OF the hve tyrants called
the directory, as his means and his powers
exceed theirs, aud had prevented any re-
lenting on the part Of the French emperor:
If true TO his declaration, '.lhat there should
be no peu,rals," OF in the ordsrecited by
gen Armstrong. THAT the u. States should
be compelled TO take the positive character
Of allies or enemies :" then war, open war,
would nave taken place: aud 10 this case
also we should have escaped repetition Of