Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-10


five per cent? and be repaid at intervals after de-
lay of twelve years At the close OF 1883, Neckar, being
orey pressed for money, made indirect propositions TO the
American Government for immediate repayment OF this
oan great discount These propositions Were not
copied. Jusice and honor require said ashingon then
President hat debt France should be fully paid and
that we should in nowise profit by the temporary embaass-
ment of her finances"
law of Congress Immediately passed. appropiatng
money and authorizing loan in Holland for the early
acquittal of this sacred debt. The epaymcns
menced the Sd Of December $780, and before the
Of the 10th August 23 639 vres had been paid On
the 9th August further payment oil SIX millions was 10 have
been made Amsterdam, but the bankers OF the French Go
yernment Messrs Hoguen Grand & Co., refused receive
any the credit of Louis WI declaring that their
count then with the Executive Council alone Under
these circumstances the Minister OF the United States TO Ho
land Mr. Short, deferred the payment The endeavor of
the American agent to secure this money for Louis XVI
posed him attacks from the French Ambassador
the Hague W. Maude, and caused also complaints to be adj
dressed by the Executive Council to the Government of the
United States The ground for these reproaches of the Ex
ecuve Council nav be easily understood than that for
the reproach American ngratitude to Louis XVI coming
from conscientious historian
On the 18th October, 1892 Jefferson, then Secretary for
Foreign Relations wrote the American Minister in Paris
the public prints that the late constitution of France formal
IL notified rs, is suspended and convention is call
ed. During the time OF this suspension, and while legi
mate Government exists apprehend cannot continue
the repayens Of debt France because there per-
authorized receive it and give unexceponabe
quitta! Should circumstances obige you 10
ton this do with such solid will your
self and accompany with the most friendly declarations
that the suspension does proceed from any desire
barass oppose the settlement OF their Government the
way in which their nation shall desire it, but from desire
pay this debt Justly and honoraby and the persons real
ly authorized by the nation to whom it receive
for their Nor shall the suspension be continued
ment after way clear out of the difficulty into
which their situation has thrown That they may speed
y obtain liberty, peace, and tranquility prayer.
At the that this letter of Jeiersons written
money had just been voted by Congress for the relief OF the
suffering colony Of ST. Domingo, and in addition these
graultes, the of four million vres, which the National
Assembly, by lis decree of Goth June, 1892 had requested
the Government Of the United States furnish the colony
paid into the hands of the French Minister The poi-
cal considerations and the regard for the unfortunate Louis
W. which caused The American funds destined for France
TO lie for certain time, inactive at Amsterdam, did
vail to etard that portion OF them which destined for
work OF humanity Within two years from this time the last
sol of the debt paid.
The nexactudes OF fact in the History of the Gond.ns
which, American, have thought my duty draw
attention, have given opportunity speak Of the
sympathy and gratitude towards Louis WI which existed
and which still exists in the United States II would be
wrong, however suppose that these feelings confined
the unfortunate King. That nation, which is ready TO
the oppressed and which prefers generous ideas
tera Interests must possess the admiration of eemen
and above all the ympahes of those whose fathers
chose brave the dangers of the and of exile IN
known land rather than enjoy the comforts of home by the
sacrifice Of principle.
The debt OF American gratitude due the whole French
nation, but the desire individuaze Of may say the
expression Of that gratitude caused the OF three
Frenchmen he engraved every American heart The
names OF LAFAYETTE, LOUIS XVI, FERGENNEs and If
this trinity Of the webeoved be completed by whose
less prominent, whose services less known 10
fame than those Of the other two is that NERGENSEs was
the first friend America found among those having authority
with Louis WI was he who staked his reputation
Minister upon the of her struggle he who proposed
always generous aid her cause, and he who in his dpO
matte relations with the American Ministers-FRASKLIS and
JEFFERsoS-showed always and honorable spirit.
At the present day, the American pilgrim who comes to
Versailles visit the dedicated to all the gores
Of France pauses in humble tempe-the Church OF
Notre Dameand offers there his tribute of affection and
spec al the tomb NERGESSEs the tomb of that French
who, swayng the councils of his Sovereign and having
influence the opinions of the naton forgot be
generous and inst TO America
you, sir, accept The of my high consde
ration. GEORGE SUMNER,
Citizen Of the United States.