Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-09-04
COMMUNICATION.
FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES DURING
THE AMERICAN REyOLUTIoN.-No. III.
ATTEMPTED NEGOTIATIONS.

the United States was absolutely established. He
says:
n 1881 Austria and Prussia rendered their mediation be-
tween France and England In the French reply to this
posal it distinctly avowed that France would not in
sist on British recognition Of American independence
qua non, and the project of to be granted, in lieu
Of direct recognition, the United States suggested in
detail"
Again: "We have seen that NJ. de vergennes would
have waived the formal and defnive acknowledgment Of
American independence"
Ii these statements were accurate, would they
prove any violation of pledge! What was the
pledge in the treaty of alliance II is found in the
eighth article
Neither of the parties shall conclude either truce
peace with Great Britain without the formal consent Of the
other first obtained and they mutually engage not to lay down
their until the independence Of the United States shall
have been formally acty assured by the treaty treaties
that shall terminate the war"
And in the twelfth article it is declared I" that
his most Christian Majesty guarantees to the Uni
ted States their liberty, sovereignty, and indepen-
dence, absolute and unlimited as we'll in matters of
good government commerce." This latter clause is
in fact affirmed express the essential and direct
end of the alliance"
And here it should be observed lin the first place,
that nothing is said in the treaty about the recog
milton Of American independence by Great Br-
tain" Independence to be " formally or ia
city assured by treaty or treaties at the end OF
the war There is, moreover, provision for a
truce. The simple pledge is, that independence
shall be established in such manner and with such
guarantees that the United States shall constitute
distinct government or nation, and never again
come under the dominion of Great Britain. Wa
there any hesitation waverng on the part of
France in fulfilling this promise? If this be
proved il will be one of the srangest anomalies in
history; nation making for single object,
embarrassing and defeating that object in its pro-
gress, and abandoning it in the end without any
signabe cause. Let any one who can imagine that
France wavering her efforts to secure the in
dependence of the United States, suggest motive
by which she would have been seduced to a con-
duct 50 utterly at variance not only with her plight
ed faith, but with her own interest.
few brief details will set this matter in its lust
light. There were two attempts to mediate be-
tween England and France during the war. The
first on the part of Spain, and the other on that of
Russia and Austria. The family compact produced
20 close an alliance between France and Spain al
TINS Time that they communicated to each other in
the most unreserved manner their plans and designs
IN regard to foreign Powers. Spain had many
grievances to complain of against England, which
the King and Ministers thought justified war but
they were not yet prepared to engage in active hos
utes Hence they disapproved the treaties be-
tween France and the United States and refused to
become party to them. Florida Blanca, the Span
ish Prime Minister, told the French Ambassador in
Madrid that his Court would be more fortunate
than they had reason to hope if they did not be-
come victims to their indiscreet fondness for the
Americans. And when the King or France sent
his declaration to the British Government giving
notice OF having made treaty with the United
States, this act wasxReendemned by Spain as un-
ADVISED IN Itsels g war. In short, il
was the PolcyM elay and gain time.
ne motions accelerated by the
, lear mat Lord - I- kUposals for a recon
cliation would BE- - with the Americans
unless this demonstration in their favor was prompt
" published TO the world
The declaration of the French King was imme-
dfately followed by the withdrawal OF the British
Ambassador from Paris, which was virtual decla-
ration OF war. In accordance with hersnolicy OF
delay, Spain now voluntarily undertook $780,
o. mediator, upon hint thrown out by Lovd Wes-
mouth, one OF the British Ministers. to Escarnano
the Spanish Charge d'Affaires in London. This
suggestion was communicated by the Spanish Court
10 that OF France. The first despatch of Al. de
sergennes on this subject to the French Ambassa-
dor IN Spain, dated May lst, ITS, will show on
what terms, as preliminaries, the French Court
were willing TO accede to the mediation:
his Majesty yields entirely the wisdom and prudence
Of the hing his uncle 10 determine what confidence should
be placed 10 the advances Of the British Ministers hi what
ever may be their dispositions should be speeial an
guard that they may profit by facility 10 sow dss.n
SONS between and the Americans We urgently eone,
that no hope shall be given Of bis readiness 10 lend himself
any negotiation ieh the Americans shall ,ot be ;cI
dsd All that the King promise is that he will use ri.
good offices TO dispose them listen equitable terms
beng understood that the recognition of the ndependnce d
ne O'ited States shaH be The basis of all negofiations
TINS dea o. mediation acquires Conscience will be In,
more indispensable 70 give previous notice to the American
Commissioners, a. would be dangerous excite their dis
uus and viii not be possible without their concur
renee We know not moreover whether they have powers
70 treat Of peace with England"
In the account given Of this affair to M. Gerard
me French Minister to Congress, VI. de Vergennes
expresses himself almost in the same words. He
says, " this overture has been communicated TO us
and the King has shown himself disposed IN listen
70 II, on consideration that The independence o.
.1mer1cd shall be he basis Of This treaty, andfhGi
me United States shall be admitted as a contract.
ing party" Here are certainly no symptoms of .
Willingness TO desert ,he Americans. or To leave
their independence in doubt On the contrary.
their interests are put foremost and the negotiation
~ fact failed on this ground The British Ministers
demanded, as preliminary, that the French Kino
should withdraw his declaration ar. IN other words