Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-09-11

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NJ. de Rayneval will ask an interview with Lord Shebume
after having sent to him my letter. which he will accompan,
with one from himself, and he will exhibit TO him the points
brought and presented by Count de Gase and deman
of him whether these exactly confomabe to his nten
tons and dispositions.
" If Lord shelburne dsavows them, NJ. de Rayneyal vii
declare to him that his commission end and whou
any further exploitation, will demand his passport leaving
England.
f Lord shebume Acknowledges that these points thu
substance of what he said to Count de Grasse then M d.
Rayneva will inform him that they may be taken the bash
OF peminaries, subject such notifications and changes
be found necessary and he will request that instructions
conormabe to them may be Mr. Fzherbe that time
may not be lost in vain formalies and in disputes
tain who shall speak first.
"M de Rayneval will carefully avoid the appearance
Of being authorized negotiate and will be attentive
known that he is the less able into any negotiation
as the invaable intention of the King not 10 treat except
in concert and coointiy With his allies and friends"
Here we have the whole of Rayneval's insruc-
tons, so far as the object of his mission was con-
cerned. In regard TO Spain, he was authorized to
give the assurance that the King desired peace.
lie had no instructions concerning american atE
fairs. Lord Sheburne dsavowed having made
any formal overures to Count de Grasse, but he
held several conversations with NJ de Rayneval,
the substance of which was communicated in writ
ing to Count de Vergennes. The American topics
were incidentally touched upon twice. Lord Shell
burne declared that he had always opposed indie
pendence, but it had now become necessary, and
would be granted without conditions. When Lord
Shelburne said that he hoped the King of France
did not intend to support the claims of the Ameri-
cans to the boundaries and fisheries, M. de Rayne-
val answered that he did not doubt the King would
l. do oil in laap tba n;
the bounds of justice and reason - but he adds,
:" the discussion was not continued; for did not
choose to uphold or weaken the pretensions of the
Americans" All these particulars agree precisely
with the reasons assigned by Count de Vergen-
mes to the Commissioners for M. de Rayneval's
journey to London, which was, I" that by convers-
ing with Lord Shelburne about peace, and matters
connected with it, he might be able to Judge whe
Their pacific disposition really prevailed in the
British Court" Hence the entire fabric of these
formidable suspicious falls to the ground Mr.. Jays
eminent abilities, integrity, and patriotism gave so
much weight TO his character that even his suspi-
cions have been assumed as historical facts
Another incident occurred just at this time which
helped to fan the flame of distrust letter writ
ten by Barbe Marbois, Secretary of Legation to the
French Minister at Philadelphia, was intercepted
by the British, deciphered translated, and sent to
Mr.. Fitzherbert, who conveyed it to the American
Commissioners. Besides certain specuations, not
very Ineligible in the intercepted and translated
copy, the writer shows himself decidedly opposed
to the American claim to the fisheries and he I'M
dertakes TO give advice to the mode of informing
the American people that the claims would not be
supported by France. But it was afterwards known
that this letter written without the knowledge
OF the Minister, who was then absent on visit to
the army. The writer was also deceived, as has
been since ascertained, by yielding too easy con-
hdence to representations made to him by persons
unfriendy to the political leaders in Massachusetts.
The following extracts are taken from a letter
written by Count de Vergennes to NJ de la Lu-
zerne, November 25th, only FIVE days before the
signature of the American treaty:
81 know whether the question of the fisheries has yet
before the English and American Penpotentares They
have been for time occupied with the boundaries The
Americans not less skilled than the English drawing
indefinite lines, and claiming for them title and right
They think they show great moderation in conenng them
selves with the left bank of the Mississippi the extreme
boundary Such nearly the present Of the negotiation
far can Judge from what the American Commissioners
have been disposed tell The only useful thing which
they have yet obtained is change in the powers of the
English Penpotentiares in which the thirteen provinces
qualified the United States.
If the American Commissioners exact the
they render their constituents they will complain that
have sought influence and constran them in their nego
tatons-(d inuer ct les gener dams leur negofiatioa
whatsoever they voluntarily communicate. They
know that when occasions may require shall render them
such good offices may be in my power but do not put
myself in the way of knowing than they disposed
say me. shall always be prompt in coming to their
assistance for foresee that they will have than
difficulty if they persist in their first petensions
promise myself that the English Ministers will easily
weld to the claims Of the Commissioners Of the United States
the fisheries and boundaries. The latter object may be ar
ranged by mutual sacrifices and but before
foma judgment Of the issue of the former necessary
know what the Americans understand by the fisheries If is
fishing the banks distance from the Shore
natural right; but if they claim fishery in consequence
a title which they had to it while British subjects, they
Justice right attached to quality which they have
renowned What would the Americans say if the English
should pretend exercise the fishery their coast
"Tbe difficulties relative TO the boundaries and fisheries
the only to be The Of the 10y
ass is still more thony. The American commissioners, in
conformity with their instructions undoubtedly appear resol
ed listen any facilities in this respect But the
English deceny abandon to contempt and misery the people
who have sacrificed themselves their attachment them
II the usage of all nations in treaties of peace stpuate
for the amnesty and restitution of the conscated goods of the
subjects who have separated themselves from their country
and adhered to the party making the The Americans
oppose this usage, hrs the impossbty Of restoring the