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

1jlr 81, x
,be accommodation, at the instance ofone, with
whose good wishes they were acquainted, and
whom they had injured. They had had before no
onnortunity to make TO him any reparation.-
The day after took my leave Of the Directo,
~. not being able 10 sail for the United States
during the winter, and unwilling TO remain a
snectator Of the distressing incidents which fol-
lowed. proceeded 10 Holland, and remained
there until the spring, at which time hurried
through France to Bordeaux, from which port
we sailed.
NV reception by the French Government, in
nv second mission, on my return In 8o3, was
as kind and friendly as could have been expect
ed from what had before occurred. That the
mission contributed to the result contemplated
Ito prevent war, and secure TO us, by the srea-
Ties which were then concluded with the French
Government, not only the free navigation OF the
Mississippi, but all Louisiana-Mr. Talleyrands
letter to Mr. Livingston, which was written at
ter nv appointment was known in France, while
| was at sea, Mr.. Livings,on's letter TO me in
reply to mine, announcing my arrival at Havre.
and the extract from Col MERGERS journal OF
what passed between Mr.. Livingston and me
ON the evening Of my arrival in Paris will dis
tinctly show Mr.. Taleyrand states, in expii-
cit terms, that the First Consul thought it i'm
proper to commence negotiation, on the
ground Of Mr.. Livngston's complaints, until
Mr.. Monroe, the Minister Extraordinary, whom
the President had appointed TO discuss the sub
iect, should arrive, and be heard, that every
matter susceptible Of contradiction might be
completely and definitely discussed. He states,
also, that the First Consul had charged him to
assure our Government, that, far from thinking
that their new position in Louisiana could be
an object OF solctude, or cause the least injury
to- the United States, he would receive the Mi
mister Extraordinary whom The President had
sent to him, with the greatest pleasure, and that
he hoped that his mission would terminate to
the satisfaction Of both States Mr.. Livingston
congratulates me on my arrival, and expresses
an ardent desire that my mission may answer
mine and the public expectation. War, he says,
may do something for us; nothing else would:
that he had paved the way for me by his me-
moirs, and ifI could add TO them an assurance
that we were in possession Of New-Oreans, we
might do well. With the sentiments contained
in this letter, those which were declared by Mr.
Livingston, after my arrival in Paris, were in
strict accord, as appears by the extract in Col
MERGERS journal ofwhat passed in our first in
terview On being informed that the motion
which had been made in the Senate, for taking
possession Of New-Orleans by force, had failed
he ex pressed his regret at it, under belief that
force only could give it to US. II is just TO OBJ
serve, that, in expressing this opinion, Mr.. LII
vingston showed no excitement whatever, but
appeared 10 speak under thorough conviction
Of what he believed to be the fixed policy of the
French Government, founded on his commune
cations with the Ministers, and what he knew
of the character and policy of the First Consul,
in other respects 1t affords me pleasure 10
add, that, in the negotiation which was COM
mencedI Immediately afterwards, & in the result
procured by the treaties in which it terminated,
great harmony prevailed between Mr. Livlngs-
ton and myself
The representation then made to me, and by
authority entitled TO confidence, was, that the
first Consul having his cabinet assembled at ST.
Cloud and walking in the garden with the mem
bers who composed it, having heard OF the ar
rival Of the Minister extraordinary at Havre,
communicated to them the fact, and then OBJ
served that the negotiation should be immedl-
ately commenced, and addressing himself to
Mr.. Marbois, added, that "being an affair Of the
Treasury, will commit it TO you" His mo-
tive for committing the negotiation to Mr.. Mar
bois, and in a manner not to wound the feelings
of Mr.. Talleyrand, may be readily conceived
1t was added, by the same authority, that, until
that moment, so decided was believed to be the
purpose Of the first Consul, to cede no portion
OF the territory in question, and Interchangeable
his views after making decision, that none of
his ministers would have ventured to propose
i, 10 him. The sum demanded in the first in
teruew with Mr. Marbois, was l2o,ooo,ooo of
livres, but tina. was soon reduced to 10000 900,
of which it was agreed that 100000 should
be paid to our citizens, who had suffered by
spolia,ions. 1t was further agreed, that the
10000, 900 payable to the French Government,
should be paid in stock, and not i'll cash, by
which a great accommodation was afforded 10
the United States. 1t is proper to add, which
do with pleasure, tina, the conduct of MIR. Mar
bois, in every stage of the negotiation, was Ii
beral, candid, and fair, indicating very friend
ly feeling for the United States, and strong de-
sire to preserve the most amicable relations
between The two countries.
1t is Just 10 state, that the frank, candid, and
friendly conduct of the two great houses OF
Hope, of Amsterdam, and of Barring, OF Lon
don, by Offering to us loans to any amount we
might require, at the usual interest, rendered to
the United States essential service in the nego-
lslion We had reason to believe, that the
knowledge of those offers, and the confidence
with which it inspired the French Govern
a..