Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-11-21

SuihstdnCe tnat COutu give iuTuleTdncc 10 the Me-
gociation: and, writing and speaking the French
Language with classical purity, he possessed, in
- eminent degree, the power OF illustrating an
objects. by the par,iaiy OF his gallant friend,
"a, writer oil this memoir was appointed Secretary .
{ he mission.
On the 9Th of February, 1871, we sailed from
o>,on, in the higae Alliance, Captain Barry, and
arrived at LOrient in twenty days. Pursuing,
without delay, his route TO Paris, Col. Iaurcns
net the Marshal lie Castrics, minister OF marine,
then avisit TO the seaports, at Hennebona, and
having announced himself to the Marshal he very
pniitely ordered relays Of horses, TO expedite our
journey On bis arrival at Paris, Colonel Laurens
entered on hs mission, with every advantage
which distinction OF character ardent zeal of dis.
position, and consummatc ability 10 demonstrate
the reciprocal interests CT America and France,
IN its successful accomplishment, could confer
Having delivered his credentials, and been gra-
ciousy received al Court, memorials explanatory
OF all the views and objects Of his appointment
were presented TO the Count DC Vergennes, min.
lister oil foreign relations. and they were repeated
and enforced, by personal intercourse, from the 9Th
OF March, to the I'd of May, when Col Laurens
| conceived, from the protracted state of :he nego.
citation, that it was the policy OF the Cabinet of
France, by delaying the aid which he solicited, to
| exhaust the power and resources oil Britain and
America, and to render both subservient to her
views. Under this impression, and belief, that
this was rather the policy OF the ministers, than
OF the King, Colonel Laurens decided to prepare
III emorial, which should condeEse all the essential
points that had been heretofore stated. and which
he determined TO place in the Kings own hand =
This memorial, embracing luminous statement
oil facts, with clear deductions from them,
cortnsiy prepared: and, the morning OF the
day when II was to be presented, we went 10 the
Cabinet OF the Count de Fergennes, where we
| found Doctor Franklin and the Count. Colonel
Laurens introducing the subject Of his mission with
his usual animation, was urging the necessity of
compliance with his solicitation, when the Count
de Vergcnnes, in manner, at once smiling and
sarcastic, observed, 4" Colonel Laurens, YOU are
90 recently from the head quarters of the American
army, that you forget you longer delivering
the orders oil the Commander in Chief, but that
| you are addressing the minister OF a Monarch
who has every disposition 10 favor your country"
Colonel Laurens, rising from his chair with some
emotions, stepped 10 the opposite side Of the room;
and, returning 20 the Count, expressed himself in
nearly the following Words fapev, siri the re-
| spect which lowe my country will not admit The
term Say that the did is mutual, and cheer
fully subscribe TO The obligation. But, as the last
argument shall use with your exc.l,ency the
sword which now wear in the defence ofFrance,
as well as OF my own country, unless the succour
solicit is Immediately accorded, may be com
PEELED within short time, to draw against France,
as British subject" The force Of this brief bur
appropriate remonstrance was kcenly ielt by the
hrst dIpiomas' OF Europe, and some time elapsed
before the Count de Nergennes Sufficiently
| collected TO say, '' MsS VOLTA lie bon Monsieur
4, Franklin, qui est tres concntde nous" No one
(repiied Colonel Laurensl " prospects tina, ycncra
bic gentleman more than do: hut, 10 repeat your
| Exceliency's observation, am recently from
the Head Quarters OF the American army that
many circumstances, OF the highest interest, are
familiar to me, which yet unknown to that
worthy man. Iinust now inform your ExceIlen-
j cy, that my next memorial will he presented 10
His Majesty, in person. ! have the honor 10 sa-
!u.e you respectfully lett the room On
reaching the door, Colonel Laurens asked my Opt
Mon OF what had passed. told him, if exceeded
all had imagined of the interview. - No mat
ter" said he, :. let go to the Dn and dress for
lct 81 final No
was at that time in mourning for the Empress
Maria Theresa, the Queens moiher-but we
were INDUCED in wearing uniform, with
grapes on arms and syvorls.) The SpeciaI
Minister OF the United States of America was an
nounced and we entered the audience apartment,
where the King was standing in the centre of
semi circle, having the Old Count Maurepas on
| his right, and the Count de ycrgennes on his-Ieit
Having bowed to His Majesty, Colonel Laurens,
instead OF passing among the foreign minis 1913. ad
vanced towards the King, saluted him a second
lime; and, approaching nearer TO him, presented
the memorial, which was received under some en-
barrassnents: for, although as being an accredited
minister II could not be refused, the innovation on
the forms OF the Cour, altogether une zpected;
and the King passed the paper the Count
lie Vergerncs TO tie MARQUES dc Scgur, the min
| ister OF war, who put it il: his pocket The looks
OF all present marked their surprise. When the
cereinona! oil The Lcvee was over, went to
| the inn, where we dincd; and, Oh our return to
Paris, III going by Doctor FrankIin's house at Pas
| sy, asked Colonel Iaurens if he would not stop,
aud see the Doctor He said nc would sec no
one, until he know the result OF that days pro-
ceeding. The next morning, while al breakfast,
he received the following mole:
8 MIR. Feckar presents his compliments TO Col
Laurens, end requests the honor OF al Interview at
| IL O'clock"
| '' Here IS Something" aaii Colonel I.aurens--
Z" let Us dress, and pay respects to Madam
Neckar." 90 entering the drawing room, we
found MIR. and Madame Eeoksr, and tIc late Ma.
dame de..Stse, at that time young lady, about -
years old. The ladies having retired, Mr.. Neckar
said to Colonel Laiircns, al have the honor to in
form you, by instruction OF His Majesty, that the
loan, which you solicited in your memorial OF yes
terddy, is accorded. The fifteen hundred thou
sand iivres, which YOU request may be sent to
! Major Jackson at Amsterdam, for the purchase OF
military stores, Will be forwarded from Brussels
and any other accommodation, connected with my
department, will be cheerfuIiy granted."-On the
| next day, similar interview with Col Laurens
vas requested by the Marshall de Castries, who
said, "I am directed by Ills Majesty to inform
! you, that the Count do erase, who is now al
Brcst with % Ships Of the Line, bound for the
/ West Indies, will, ccniormsbiy 10 the request in
| your memorial Of yesterday, rendezvous on the
American coast al the time General Washington
shall point out Tho howitZers which you want
cannon be furnished from the marine arsenal, as
we have none Of that cslibrc but, Major jackson
will be able u procure them in Holland. The
| frigate Resolve will carry you 10 America, with
SUCH part Of the money you Elay wish 10 tako
with you. Any other fic:y, within my depart
ment, will be accorded"
| Thus was this inportant negotiation, wiIic was
certainly the hinge IN which the success OF the
revolution then turned, brought to happy close,
| by the wisdom and decision Of youth, who had
not yet attaincd his twenty-eighlh year: but
whose matured mind anG heroic spirit, admitted no
other rule OF official conduct, than iie honor and