Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-05-18

ertLundfl0n, WHICH Sa"''o' .,
. mote the harmony OF the TWO powers. ---ont
mn expianation was given. The words were
80, In TO nccd.;t. The insult was lntendt d.
,rhe French EIDpcrer hid lons before sscer-
t..;ne,. the characters of the men to whoM the
insult was specially addressed and he dis
d.;ned TO answer such miserable suppllants.
He had long considered, and at length openly
n,onounce ed them to be, |. without just pollti-
cal views, without honor, without energy ---
And what independent American, taxing
correct view of the conduct OF the admins
trations Of Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.. Madison,
especially for the last four years--bnt, stunS
with equal shame and regret Tor nus 1alien
country, h,mbled ana dcbased BY their system
of government avoid admitting the re-
proach of the Emperor, horribly insulting IS
it is, to be jast?
From this picture Of our degraded coun-
trv, turn to take q glance at It's features al
former memorable period.
Had the United States not known France
until within the last four years II the peru
DIV, rapacity ard injustice of her governments
had not been experienced; long forbearanoe
on the part of Mr.. Jefferson and Mr.. Maa!-
son might have been excusabie. But on this
head those gentlemen had nothing to earn:
They both perfectly understood the character
Of the French government. From Tie issa-
ing of the Berlin and Milan DEGREES TO TINS
day, the conduct of the French emperor lto
say nothing of his atrocities cominatseo al! o.
yer continental Europe) has been repetinon
but with aggrayations, of the outrages OF the
directory, when France called herself re-
public. The open violations CT der solemn
treaties with the United States has been The
same aid the same her contempt 1or INC
law of nations. The principles OF Robbers
and Pirates, and Tyrants, nave directed tae
measures of the government as well OF rePao-
iican as OF imperial France.
Under the preceding administrations OF the
American government, wn.ie france appear
ed under tl.a form of republic, the state CT
things called Tor patient endurance OF many
wronga. The proceedings OF her govern
ment were 50 extraordinary as to induce an
opinion that they must have Sr1stn from
strange pre- udices, misiniormatioii, or misap-
prenension, relative to the conduct OF the So
vcrnncnt CT the United States. A hope there
fore 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 measures towards tie United
States, by the stipulations OF treaties, the
rui-s of public law, and the duties OF friend
ship, which CT the part Of the United States,
was sincere and cordial towards France. The
Presidents, Washington and Adams, sent one
embassy after another, to the French govern
nent, to explain every &C: OF the Americai9
&C hat IF
plained---to give and to ask reparation for in
iuries, which could be supported by proof
md earnestly to seek reconciliation. But all
:hese attempts of the American government
% settle every point OF difference by negocia-
ion were fruitess. Our ministers were re-
ected, rudely and issnomini ousl> rejected
and among other anwarrant,tble demands, the
directory and their minister Talleyrand, re-
luired loan of money 70 a vast amount, be-
sides douceur, i'll plain English, a BRIDE, OF
fifty thousand pounds steriing-- Upwards OF
TWO hundred thousand dollars ---ior their own
pockets, as preliminary to induce them to
open their ears to hear our respectful repre- |
This shameless demand, and other
acquisitions, were refused, and
our ministers returned.
iCSC piOGCCN!iiSS "a l1!C i 'ShSA SN'S- AL
ment, and the vast depredations on our COM |
Inerce committed by virtue of its unjust and
outrageous DEGREES, had demonstrated that
the complaints and claims Of the French go
vernmcnt had been advanced, not to obtain |
restoration of violated rights (for We had vio-
lated money but as pretence for trafnpling On
ours.
The United States had then to choose be- |
tween absolute submission to the views and
will of the French go"ernment---or, reused |
by its insults and injuries, to resist its op-
preston. Happily there was at that time no
disposition in the American government to |
the enormties of France or to check |
and palsy the rising spirit of our citizens.
The voice was general" Millions for de. |
fence, not cent for tribute" The govern.
ment determined to resist---prepared for war
ARMED public and private vessels to pro.
teCt and defend our commerce--and reoel
French aggressions.
AS soon as the French government found
its mistakc---that with all our friendship for
France, there was then too much indepen-
deace of spirit to submit to unlimited depre-
81. NNr,Nr HxNr~