Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-09-13
BEAuMARCHAIs CLAIM.

vernment, for supplies furnished during the re-
evolutionary war, after harrassing each successive
Congress for more than fifty years, has at length
been settled by Mr.. Rves treaty with France,at
an expense of about million Of dollars. The
magnitude of tie claim, and its connection with
history, render it deserving of attention.
The Court Of France early manifested interest
in the controversy between Great Britain and her
colonies In 1867, when Franklin was acting as
Colonial Agent in London, the French Ministers
there sought interviews with him, and impressed
the sagacious Printer with the belief that the King
of France was disposed to fan the Hime OF con-
tention. As the contest deepened, the policy
and views OF France were more decidedly de-
welcomed. Avoiding a declaration of war with
Britain, it was determined by the French Minis
try secretly to furnish the colonies with supplies
for their defence, and yet preserve apparent neu.
trality.
To effect these purposes, an agent named Beau
marchai, was sent to London, l716. who met Ar
thur Lee, the agent of the secret committee OF
Congress, and concluded an arrangement with
him for the remittance of go, 0O0 louis d'ors III
arms ammunition and specie. given by the French
court These were to be furnished under color
of commercial tons with the ic:tiou, house
of RoderiQue, IIOrtales & Co. of which the real
partners were the soyereisns OF France and Spain
A million of iivre, we're placed in the hands OF
Beaumarchais, and a receipt given by him to the
French government, which was. Tor long time,
concealed. As it was necessary to manage the
expenditure in such manner that 1t should not
be imputed to the Court, at time when every
movement was closely watched: it was made to
assume the appearance OF private transaction.
The American Commissioners were gwen to un-
derstand that the supplies furnished were free
h,t m kec md
secret, even from Congress Clothing, arms,
and cannon. were furnished i'll the name of the
mysterious house, but in reality from the King
arsenal In l717, Dr.. franklin and Mr.. Lee
thought it necessary to explain to Congress, the
mode in which the warllke stores.aud money had
been obtained. Their letters we're entrusted to
the Captain of an American vessel, with special
instruction. to deliver them with his own hands to
the President of Congress. The packet, on be-
ing opened contained ouly blank papers. The
captain suspected Of fraud, was examined and
confined, but without leading to any discovery.
Some months after, duplicates OF the letters were
received. at the unfortunate time, when the in
formation they contained was most needed. Beau
marcha,s sent an agent to demand payment for the
supplies furnished by him. In a state of great
perplexity and doubt without certain information,
and closely pressed by the agent, in March 1878,
Congress thought proper to pay $4,000 and to
enter into a contract for the future payment OF
the balance.
The same reasons Of state policy. which had
induced the French Court to conceal its bpnevO
lent assistance to the American States under the
disguise of commercial transactions, compelled
the Ministry, for the preservation Of its ueach-
erous neutrality, to disclaim their existence
When pressed by the British Minister at Paris,
fhon # Pn, hal
denied, and orders we've issued to prohibit all sup
plies from him or any other persons. The Anne
rican Commissioners addressed note to the
French Minister. enclosing copy Of the agree
ment for settlement with the house of Rodergue.
Hortales, s. Co stating their entire ignorance of
the persons constituting he firm, and the under
standing of themselves. Congress, and the peO-
pie that thcv we're Indebted to the good will OF
the King for the supplies An official note replied
that The King had furnished nothing. that he had
only permitted Beaumarchais to borrow from his
arsenals that he would from friendship interfere
to prevent Congress from being pressed for pay
ment. but that he did not know the celebrated
commercial house, and could form no opiniun OF
their solidity or punctuaIity.
These facts were divulsed BY Thomas Paine.
then Secretary of the committee Of Foreign AZ
fairs. in his controversy with Silas Dean, but the
French Minister, alarmed at the disclosure, de-
manded of Congress disavOwal aud contra
diction. The court of his sovereign was not
then to be denied requests of any kind. Paine
appeared before Congress. avowcd his authorship
and resigned his office. The publications were
disclaimed. and an official declaration made that
the alliance with France was not prefaced by Sc
cret supplies.
| Corsresshavng frst'sanctIoned and again con-
firmed the full claim of Beaumarchais. was again
pressed for payment by his agent. The amount in
! l779 was four millions and half Of livres, and in
June OF that year bills were drawn for about half
! that sum on the American Minister, payable in
three years, with the expectation tina: before the
time arrived. measures would be taken bv the
/ French court to prevent payment. They were
however, immediately sold, accepted BY DrFrauk-
lin. and paid to the assisnees on maturity.
In 1885, itappeared by the settlement between
DR.. Franklin and the Count de Vergennes, that
100000 of livres had been furnished to the Uni
ted States, prior to the treaty of l77s. gratu-
tous assistance from the bounty of the King. e.
O0n 000 up nail dirocfIv tn tho marican Cop,