Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-09-04

Swiss Cantons had never been thus acknowledged,
either formally or tactly, but they had enjoyed
both their independence and sovereignty under the
guaranty of France. The Spanish Cabinet there
FORE labored to contrve some scheme OF this sort,
which should be applicable to England and the Unit
ed States, and thus open the way for peace between
England and France, since the great object of the
war on the part of France American indepen-
dence.
These ideas were communicated to the Cabinets
of London and Versailles Among the conditions
returned to the Spanish Court by the French Min
isry were the following: The absolute indepen-
dence of the Colonies is condition from which il
is impossible TO depart in any manner; tile interest
of the two Crowns equally demand it and the honor
of France makes it to her law, since she has qua
rantied their liberty and independence" But the
views of the French Cabinet may also be clearly
derstood from the dispatches of NJ. de Vergennes
to M. Gerard at Philadelphia. On the 18th of
December, l77s after explaining the plan as it came
| from Spain, he writes:
81 think my duty observe to you that the act of a
truce have propositions for its basis first, that Great
Britain shall treat with the Americans free nation, (une
nation Ebr secondly, that she shall all the places
on the continent which contained within the limits
Of the Confederation. In OF truce you authorized
make the not only that the Kings political en-
gagenents with Congress shall be maintained but he will add
stpuatons which will render them the binding possible,
and ensure, The most rrepocabL, the irdepen-
dence Of the United STATES, through the mediation of Spain
but the negotiation relating this object ought go hand in
hand with negotiation for peace and neither Of the ea
ties should be valid till both have been signed This method
Of proceeding proposed because will conduct easily
to end, while will in the dignity and
sell-regard (amour propre) Of the King of England"
Again, on the 10Th of February following, M. de
Nor ,.ta n, e..
assuring him that neither France nor Spain would
make any arrangement without virtual recognition
of the independence of the United States by Eng
land, goes on to say:
His Majesty has malurely examined the plan of pac-
cation He has found that ioiH fact the indie
pendence the United States, and he has judged that may
the readily be adopted by hem the Court of London
convinced of their inability subdue the Colonies will not
delay and recognise denivey their independence
and, moreover the Americans will the less hazard of
renewal OF the at the time the shall be signed
and before, his Majesty will into treaty with
them in terms the most full and obligatory the object which
shall be to protect and assist them against any attempt
England to effect their subjugation."
Such was the truce proposed by Span and such
the manner of viewing il by the Court of France.
So far from dispensing with the independence of
the United States, its essential conditions and prin-
clpal aim were to secure that independence. Eng
land was to negotiate with them as Stree naton,"
which would in TACT have been recognition in SUBJ
stance if not III form. Under this treaty, however
II might have been constructed they were to form
their own government, manage their own affairs,
and enter into relations with foreign Powers, pre-
csely like any other independent nation. 1t left
not even semblance of subordnation to the mother
country any further than the Americans should vo-
UNFAIRLY choose TO modify their claims, unite in
stpulations for the mutual benefit of the parties.
That il was the best mode Of settling the points at
issue cannot be pretended. 1t was the only mode,
| nevertheless, which at this stage Of the contest
could have been successful, or which held out the
least promise of stopping the effuson Of blood and
the horrors OF war. II certainly would not have
satisfied Congress or the American people, Pas
sion, as well as patriotism, had its full share in
kndllng theflame of the revolution and they would
| not have tolerated any compromise with England
which should not place them in perfect scale of
political equality. That the Court of London
should have listened TO the project is not to be ac.
| counted for upon any other idea than that OF
amusing Spain and gaining time by putting off a
war and if this the real motive il is probable
that the two Courts were playing against each other
at the same game.
View this truce we may, however, it leaves no
room for charging the French Court with want
oil good faith and open dealing. The truce as ex-
planned on all Sides was in strict accordance with
the terms Of the treaty of alliance France was to
gain nothing by it except the independence of Amer
lea, for she had abundant limitations from secret
agents sent by the British Ministers that, BY re-
naming neutral, she might then obtain all the ad-
vanages, in other respects which she could hope
for at the end of the war. Nor was there any con-
cealment or disguise. The details Of the negotia-
| ton were from time 10 time communicated 10 M
Gerard, with instructions to lay them before Con
gress whenever the occasion for acting upon them
should arrive but Spain joined in the war; and put
an end to the mediation before the plan OF peace
was matured.
| We come now to the second mediation Early
In the year 1871 the Empress of Russia and En-
Peror OF Austria were accepted as medators by the
three belligerent Powers-EngIand France, and
Spain. The proposal was first rendered by the
Empress TO the British Cabinet who solicited the
cooperation of the Emperor; and il was agreed by
all the parties that the negotiation should take place
at Vienna. There much delay in the prelimi-
nary arrangements for arriving at this point, for
British agent was now in SPAIN sent from England
TO attempt separate negotiation with that Court
and the intmate relalions between England and
Austria rendere0.6G the French and Spanish
Courts unwilliDxUPn The negotiation so much
under Austrian Influence il would be at Vienna
These scruples were at length overcome, and they
assenied TO the place and to the overtures of the