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

explained to Congress openly and explicitly,
through the medium Of France, the ground upon
which he STOOD and saved them the trouble Of send
ing Minister to Madrid to be amused and dis
appointed.
In regard to Holland, the same dispositions were
manifested by France. AS early as June, l77s,
four months after the treaty of alliance, M. de YER
gennes wrote to M. de la Vauguyou, the French
Ambassador in that country, charging him to "use
his good Offices to engage the States General to
unite themselves with the Americans" Again, (Oc-
tober 10 } The Hollanders manifest great de-
sire to unite themselves with the Americans, which
| think sincere You will do well TO promote the
relations which may spring up between the two
nations, and extend them as far as may be in your
power" At later day France made an offer of
her aid in procuring an alliance between Holland
and the United States. For some reason it was
not accepted by Congress, although made known
to that body by M. de la Luzerne, then the French
Minister in America This refusal neglect created
little uneasiness, as indicating suspicion. M. de
Vergennes wrote TO the Minister:
"When the King offered his Intervention it was intended
benefit the Americans service rendered to them and
not one expected from them and it sufficient to fulfil
the intentions of the King to place the subject before Con-
gess, and leave them to their reflections, giving them
understand how small desire have to NEEDLE in the at
fairs OF the United States against their wishes"
Congress commissioned MIR. Dana as Minister
Plenipotenliary TO Russia. Little hope could be
entertained of his reception in that character. The
reasons are well explained by Count de Vergennes
in letter to M. de la Luzerne, dated October 8,
1881:
81 persist in believing that the Empress has objection
to the independence Of America but the Amecsns will de-
ceve themselves if they imagine that this Princess will make
the slightest demonstrations in their favor In addition to
the fact that Catherine has wishing hasten
the end Of the war; she clothed with the character of
dax, and this will preserve the scrupulous
mpartiaity Whatever may be her principles in regard
the United States they have sautay effect long
the continues. Any advantages that may result from
them to the American will depend the of the
Let these demonstrate the English the mpossibily
of recovering America and then only will Catherine be able
to support their interests without compromising herself The
Americans should proceed therefore, precisely if Russia
not in existence"
The reasons were frankly stated by Count de
Vergennes to Mr.. Dana, but he thought il his duty
to execute the commission of Congress, and pre-
sent himself at the Russian Court. He was not
received in his official character, though permitted
to communicate informally with the Ministers on
the subject OF his mission, but not till the war was
over and the treaty of peace had been signed. He
an able and faithful minister, and his mission
failed in consequence of political obstacles, which
he could not control. The Court of France was
suspected of employing secret influence to thwart
his designs. The reasons for so strange conduct
it would be difficult even to imagine. Chancellor Lii
vingston, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, justly
remarked in one of his letters to Mr.. Dana: " To
suppose that France would go to war for our indie
pendence, and yet not wish to see that indepen-
dence recognised, is solecism in politics." The
suspicion was in fact entirely groundless. This is
proved by the letters of Count de Vergennes at the
time to the Marquis de Verac, the French Ambas-
sador at the Court of st. Petersburgh. The Ambas-
sador instructed to render all personal kind Of
fees TO Mr. Dana, and not to interfere with his ad-
vances to that Court, but at the same time not to
encourage aid them officially till affairs should
take new turn, for the King unwilling to sub
ject himself to the indignity of refusal, which he
was certain would be the consequence moreover,
there was perfect fairness in the proceeding. The
sentiments contained in the letters of Count de
Vergennes to the Ambassador accord with those
which he openly expressed to the American
Minister.
Hereafter will be considered some of the parti-
culars of the treaty Of peace, in which France has
been accused of acting treacherous at least an
ambiguous part towards her allies. S.