Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-17

OF, as believed, by my recall, forwarded tnein
10 MIR. Gouyerneur, with the others.
Soon after my recall from this mission, was
appointed by my native State TO the office OF
Chief Magistrate, in which served the constr
tu,ional term Of three years, and retired from
1t with the appreciation OF my fellow citizens,
as was eyinced by the vote of the General As
sembiy, and more particularly by the manner
in which twas given. My affairs requiring II,
Presumed Immediately my station at the par,
and with fair,prospect of success. ] was al
no time rich; my landed inheritance IN west
moreland county was small, but still II was
something. Bv the sale and investment OF the
amount received for i, in other lands, as soon
as arrived at maturity, l had laid the founda-
ton of independence, and shold have attained
it, had I pursued the profession OF the Jaw
few years ouger:forI posseSsed,at the time OF my
anno;n, ment on my first mission 10 france OF
1904. more property than now hold, ana owed
comparatively nothing.
Al this moment, an event occurred Wnlch
produced great excitement throughout our ~
MON. BY the treaty of ST. lldephonso, between
Fr,nce and SPAR, the latter had coded TO the
former. Louisiana, and had suppressed; as IS be-
l;ovea q, the instance Of the then Government
of France. our deposite a, New Orleans, the
right to which had been secured by our treaty
with Spain OF 1898. The excitement produced
by that act was universal throughout our u
MON. and particularly ardent in the Western
country, the commerce Of a large portion oil
which, was dependent on the free navigation OF
the Mississippi. The aggression justified war,
and many were prepared to RISK 1t, by removing
the obstruction by force.
The President preferred different policy
He resolved 10 make an experiment Ola pacific
sol,
10 resort to war, so far as depended on him,
should that mission fail. In that emergency he
demanded my service, and nominated and APP
pointed me to France and Spain, without con-
sulting me, but with perfect knowledge that
/ should not decline the mission.
Independent of any favorable opinion, which
the President might have entertained otme per-
sonally, arising from the very friendly relations
which had so long existed between us in public
and in private life, there were considerations
known 10 the public, which, doubtless, had
weight with him in making the appointment.
My zeal, in favor Of the free navigation OF the
Mississippi, had been shown on several impor-
tant occasions. AS far back as the year 1886,
when a member Of the Revolutionary Congress,
had strenuously opposed projected treaty
with Spain, by which, had it been concluded,
the use Of that river would have been suspend
ed for term, and our right TO it, as thought,
impaired. 1t was known that l wrote the pa
per, which was presented by the Delegates OF
the State, in opposition 10 that projects
mention this occurrence with no unirlendly
feeling to Mr.. Jay, our then Secretary OF For
eign affairs, for no one thinks more highly than
have done, and still do, Of his talents, Revo-
lutionary services, and general merit, which l
take this occasion, with pleasure, to declare.
L,l o,vh,r n INV
zeal in favor Of the free navigation Of this Ri
yer, had been displayed In January, 1875, in
nv first mission TO France, at period when
our relations with the French Government were
of most friendly character, France and Spain
being then at war, and the armies Of the Re-
public victorious in every quarter, and particu-
la-ly in Spain, negotiation being sought by
the latter, and existing between the two Gov
ernments, presented anote to the French Gov
ernment, in which / urged, from motives Of
policy, which ought to have weight with that
Government, the exertion of its influence, 10 Sc
cure 10 us the free navigation OF that river, Ell
Their BY extending ii 10 a negotiation then IN
trusted to Mr.. Short, our Minister at Madrid,
or by providing for ii in its own treaty. These
facts being we'll known 10 the Union, could not
fail TO have their effect in every quarter, as 10
the zeal which should carry with me into the
negotiation.f
The presumption was equally strong that l
should be well received by the French Govern
ment AS my efforts to preserve good under
standing between the United States and France,
in my former mission, had produced some 81
feet on the policy of that Government towards
the United States, and much to its displeasure,
after it had decided on change of policy, 1t
was natural that the censure inflicted on me by
my own Government, by my recall, on the pre-
sumption that had failed to perform my duty
10 i, and TO my country, in that very clrcum-
stance, should excite some feeling i'll the Gov
eminent of France, and restore to me its con-
hdence, which had been withdrawn. he men
sill in power were all of the Revolutionary cha
racter, with most of whom | was personally
well acquainted, and had witnessed their great
est difficulties. was the first minister who
had been presented 10 the Republic; and beheld
three great movements against lhem-tbose OF
Germinal; Of Prairial, and Vindemiaire-in the
latter of which Barras commanded the National
Guard, and Napoleon Bonaparte acted under
him. This occurred al the momen, when the
Convention was engaged in lhe act OF transfer
ring the Government from itself 10 the Direc-
tory, and TO the two Councils. ] was III the