Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-06-26
THE FRENCH EMBASSY.


to thinking mind From the year 1777 to
the present day, how many characters have fill
ed the same diplomatic station How different
their dispositions and their tone Yet not more
so, than those of the governments that sent them
They were SO many faithful copyists-So ma
ny mirrors, rejecting the form, size, and colour
OF their masters. The history Of each link in
'nls variegated diplomatic chain, would be no
less amusing than nstructive-but such consi.
derations suit not the narrow limits of a news,ia
per essay. Let us, therefore, content ourselves
WIN comparing the two extremit;cs Of that
chain.
In 1777, the Cbevalier Gerard was received.
as the RcPresentaiiv of Louis XVI, by the SUI
Preme national council of confederated America.
HIS reception presented a novel and interesting
scene II gave to our infant Republic Character
OF maturity it confirmed the principles on
winch the Alliance between Erarce ard the u
nited States had been formed il drew ne:rr Ia
each other, two nations which hereditary prciu.
dices had hitherto divided The enthusiasm
which the address of Mr. Gerard To Congress
and the answer of that venerable Body, produc-
ed throughout America, can scarcely be concei
ved by the most active imagination Louis
XVI had named the Representatives in Congress
assembled" his very dear, and very great friends
and allies !" this appellation was re-echoed
through the country, with blessings ard eulogies
on The generous monarch, who was considered
rs the champion of America to all this, Mr. &c
rard added persona, claims on the public graft.
tnde; he had, in France, settled with the Ane-
rican Com pissioners the treaties of CONNIE rec
and anity, and Of alliance, offensive and decan-
sive he loudly professed his zeal IN the cause Of
american independence, his attachment to the
isle connexlon between the two countries, and
MS ardent desire TO cement that connexion, and
promote Its objects BY every possible means
pe,o,e the chevalier Gerard, or along with him,
iad landed Oh the American shores, many dis
tng1ished members of brilliant and warj;l,e
nobility the gallant La Favette, and several -
TIERS, IN whose dispositions were conspicuousl,,
reraced those noble and grand features which
characterized the ancient Knights of France TN.
GOOD Joinville, the fearless and reproacbless Bay
ard, Crlilon, the bravest of the brave &c. Sc
animated by that uncomfortable, predominatine
impulse which urges noble minds to great per.
sonar ACHIEVEMENTS, they aspired to the honor
of aiding in the protection & nurture of an infant
Empire, crad'ed amid the ruins of oppression
and tyranny.-A powerful feet already lowered
along the American coast--more efficient sue
cours were promsed-The youthful monarch
and his Queen partook in the national enthusi
asm tor American Libetty-a deadly blow was
levelied at England--old & deep injuries would
be avenged-in short, every circumstance ten.
ded to create a lively sympathy between France
and America
such were the auspices under which the first
French Minister appeared in America We
have no room for developements. We. there.
fore, draw the curtain over the intermediate
scenes, and pass TO the arrival of Mr.. De Neu-
vilie' How great, how sad the rev erse-l Where
IS the splendor of France where her synpathv
Where, in short, the powerful tie of common
feelings, and common opinions Where, too,
the personal claims OF the new Minister, who is
SAID to be decidedly hostile to every thing that
pears the stamp of republ; canism I'VE see
nothing OF all that-France has not even retain
ed That pompous msgnifcence those gorgeous
ana splendid forms-tiiai gay and resplendent
aiT-which warm the Imagination, fascinate the
Judgment, and offer, at least the shadow Of an
apology for the absence of more substantial adj.
vantages-reguatedf freedom within, and without
enuf political ndependence-Her decayed and
dwindled nobility, far from promoting the inte
rests OF liberty in other Countries, have not been
able TO preserve the independence of a throne
winch Louis XIV. or Henry the ~. would have
blushed to hold from Prince Regent of Fno
land or any ether Potentate Darkness. intelIec.
tual and political darkness, is the order of the
day.-Amld the ruins of our national edifices at
Washington, Mr. De Neuville might. not long
since, have beleld evident marks of intentional
british outrage on the pictures of those soye
reigns OF France, who so efficiently aided us du.
ring the revolutionary struggle Whilst Wei.
lngton and Castlareagh were replacing Louis
XVIII on the throne ofhis ancestors. their coun
ttrymen were employed at Washington in defac.
ing the images of his departed relatives, in the
midst ofth most brutal execrations-Lous XVI
was doomed to experience the implacable re-
sentiment OF England both during his life and af.
ter his death But let us conclude
Although Mr. De Melville does not come
among us under such auspices as the Cheyalier
Gerard, we think too highly of the wisdom and
dignity OF our administration not TO rest assured
that ne will meet with reception suitable to the
sacred character of foreign ambas Sldor-Asa
republic, the American nation is insulated from
the rest OF the world by its opinions and feel
ings, on certain subjects yet, commercial and
other relations connect with the different
people ofthe Earth With them. we ou.-ht and
we wish to cultivate friendly intercourse. Mr.
DE Melville, upon a closer view OF Tie spirit of
republican administration, will, no doubt, dis
cover that no government IS more pacific, less
heddIesone,iess ambitious, than ours. For Is
years past, the potentates of Europe, have been
interfering in the internal affairs of France at
ihis momen', they entirely controuI her dest;-
MES. From France and other nations. America
has never claimed more than her Just rights, than
a liberal observance of the laws established t0
regulate the intercourse of civilized nations
America does not, as a Government, enquire in
10 the name and qualifications of foreign chief
content with maintaining at home the purity of
her own Tree and republican institutions, and
Hlth supporting abroad her dignity, and rights
founded on national law, or on existing treaties
she respects other governments, whatever NAV
De Their origin and their form.---FeeI,np inbc.
rent to the human heart, opinions emsnatin mo
rom unsophisticated reason, will necessatilv
,e manifested by individuals, especially where
me liberty Of speech and Of the press is almost
unbOunded but with these effustons the e,o