Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-28

previous explanation from the party about to en-
gage in such measures On the present occasion,
therefore, at the beginning of the negotiation, NJ de
Vergennes wrote an elaborate despatch to the Span
ish Court urging Its cooperation in the treaties with
the United States, with full exposition of the rea-
sons which influenced the Court of France, and
which it was believed should be equally conclusive
with Spain. This despatch was answered by Count
de Florida Blanca, the Spanish Prime Minister, who
endeavored to confute the reasons, showing the step
TO be premature and at variance with the interests
of both countries Several letters passed in quick
succession while the negotiation pending, chiefly
through the channel of M. de Montmorin, the
French Ambassador in Spain. The solicitations
and arguments of the French Court were unava-
ing Charles the Third refused to join in the trea-
ties, but left the King of France free to act without
his concurrence.
! Apprehensive of this result, or anticipating de-
lay, the Court of France resolved from the begin
ming to sign the treaties with the American Com
mssoners and provide by separate article for the
accession of Spain, whenever that tardy Court
should be ready to join the alliance. Florida Blanca
was piqued at this haste and apparent want of de-
ference to his counses, and it required no little adj
dress in the French Minister to soothe and pacify
his discomfort. 1t is worthy of remark that Count
d. Amanda, the Spanish Ambassador in Paris, differ
ed entirely from his Court and filed his dispatches
with ardent recommendations of immediate war,
which Florida Blanca ascrbed to the contagious
atmosphere he breathed in the vicinity of Versailles.
To Judge of the different spirit which animated
these two Courts, we need only to one or two
points in the correspondence of the principal Minis
tiers. We have seen that France exacted nothing
from the United States, except pledge that they
would not lay down their arms till their indepen-
dence should be confirmed by treaty at the end of
the war; no heavy demand, since it was the very
object for which the United States were contend
ing. On the other hand, the Spanish Minister
would first stipulate for /" the advantages which
s Spain was to derive from the alliance, and the
compensation she would receive for the expenses
or losses she might incur in sustaining it, and
how far the cooperation of the United States might
be depended on for carrying out the general plan Of
the war in favor of the allied Powers. To these
points M. de Vergennes replied:
France does expect derive from the treaty of COM
any advantage which will be common all COM
mercia nations There is not word implying exclusive
privilege the whole is constructed in the spirit of perfect
equity, and for the most extensive benefits.
"Spain stpulate for such conditions she may ieem
suitable to her situation and interest We have thought
advisable, part demand an indemnify for the ex
penses which engagements may OCCASION because has
been customary with France ask for such an ndem
necessary give the teates the Americans will rather be
the auxliaries of France than France of the Americans
Spain may have different principles in this respect but if she
will consider the extreme difference her Of having the Amer
leans for neghbos along the borders of her posses
slons-a tranquil people, who, by their constitution, it
would seem, can become ambitious fond of
ques-rather than the English nveterae enemies who
always occupied, in peace and war, in extending their
patons she will doubtless perceive that by embracing the
opportunity afforded of substituting peaceabe for
troublesome neghborhood she will practise real economy
and obtain the greatest advantage which she could promise
herself"
Extracts from this correspondence might be null
tIplied, all tending to the result showing the
object and design of France in her alliance with the
United States, and the honorable terms in which the
treaties were proffered and executed In reality,
France made but one pledge TO the United States,
which to prosecute the war till their indepen-
dence and sovereignty should be firmly established.
This pledge certainly implied many others relative
to the manner OF carrying on the war, the extent
and kind of aid to be rendered, and friendly in
terposition with other foreign Powers in favor of
this independence. Since stipulations for indem-
niy remuneration, exclusive privileges were ex-
acted from the United States, they had no right 10
demand or expect exorbiant sacrifices in their be-
half; but they had right to expect sincerity and
fair dealing from their allies, steady support of
their cause, and faithful adherence to promises.
In another paper shall consider some of these
topics, and show the grounds Of my conviction that
the delinquencies charged upon France in regard to
them are contrary to indisputable evidence. S.