New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-12-13

.,;,b -. United States was formed, he gave L
r.,;d but comprehensive sketch OF the old French
,.sr during which WIsHISGToS entered upon MS
military career. Before any declaration of war
between Great Britain and France had been issued
and even while the Embassador o: the former
was continually and earnestly protesting that his
nation desired peace ard friendly relation: with
France, the government to which be was &C
credited sent out cruisers seize French vessels,
fvmented disturbance between the inhabitants OF
Canada and the Colonies, which led 10 frequent
and bloody skirmisbes between the soldiers
the border, and lost opportunity to hsr.ass the
business and weaken the power Of her rival.
Soon war was proclaimed; and the signal VIC
tories which uniformly attended the BRUSH arms
always ascribed BY the French solely TO the
advantage they gained By their deceitiu policy De-
fore hostilties were proclaimed. The war was
finally Closed by treaty of peace and this treaty
was dictated by England herself md was s,udi-
ously famed for the purpose Of Gripping the re-
sources, destroying the spirit and weakening the
power Of France. The terms were in the highest
degree hard and oppressiye yet France had no
alternative and was obliged 10 Yield TO them
They included an absolute surrender TO TIE British
crown of the Cunadas aud her West India pos
sessions, made the ports of France completely at
the disposal of the victors and placed her com
mercc completely at their iaprcy. They al.o
bound the French government to engage in no
acts hostile to England. So far was their oppres.
sion carried that English Commissioners were
frequently sent into French ports to inspect French
ships there fitting out and II deiain them if their
purposes were no. approved.
This tyrannical use Of victory aroused every pa
tristc and indignant feeling in thc French heart
1t not only weakened her power but insulted her
dignity and furnished her honor and glory No
Frenchman, therefore, ever intended 20 keep the
treaty only until their strength would allow them
to break it. An intense hatred OF the English was
firmly rooted in the heart of the French nation ;
and they therefore witnessed the growing discon
tents between the Thirteen American Colonies and
their mother country with the greatest satisfaction.
1t gratifed their feelings of enmty and afforded
hope that the contest, whatever the result might be-
wsuid be seriously injurious to the power and pros
psrity Of their hated conqueror.
The Colonies soon after the commencement of
the struggle began TO look abroad for aid and their
first hopes of assistance were from France. 1t
was necessary however that every thing should be
done in secret, and accordingly SILAs DEANE went
cut to France in the character Of Il merchant, bu,
really with purpose of procuring whatever aid he
could for the Colonies With the government d.
rcctly Of course he could have no intercourse but
among the men of greatest influence at Court
Count de Vergennes, and he most jealousy
in favor of the American cause. He secretly sup
piled the agent Of the Colonies with money &c
purchase military stores and other needed articles
which were secretly shipped and sent this coun-
try. This was continued for time with some
success but The British Minister at Paris, by
means Of spies, soon found it out and made com
plant to the French government. The King there
upon issued proclamation forbidding all such
mission of supplies to the Colonies and command
ing the officers of the various ports 10 institute strict
inquiry into all such transactions Still the matter
was carried on with the secret connivaxce OF the
French government, who nevertheless frequently
embaro the proceedings by OBTAINING vessels
suspected Of having arms on board.
Upon the adoption OF the Declaration Of indie.
pendence, which placed the Colonies in a new po-
,tion with regard 10 other nations, they began To
look abroad for alliances and Of course their a,ten-
tion was frs, fixed upon France. Three Commits
soncrs, Franklin, STA, Deane and Arthur Lse,
were sent 10 Paris TO bring about such alliance.
They repaired thither, and although not publicly
received or in any way accredited by the Govern
ment, were yet admitted 10 secret audiences. The
King and several Of his Ministers were strongly
opposed TO the proposed alliance; but the Count
dc Vergennes was earnest in urging its manifold
beaefits. Mr.. SFARss detailed with great minute
and force the progress Of this negotiation, TIE
difficulties they had to encounter, and the persc
vcrancc, high ability and final success with which
they discharged the mission with which they were
charged The Count de Vergennes drew up me-
mortal, which was read in secret Cabinet Council,
and from which Mr.. Sparks read long extract,
displaying the great advantages that would result
from uniting with the Colonies and declaring war
against England.
Thess counsels finally prevailed, and treaty of
alliance was concladed by which the parties bound
themselves TO aid and assist each other the Ut
most of their power Various stipslaiions were
also added, the French declaring that they wished
no, for extended conquest. This treaty was kept