Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-25

a." VIZ. President ard Members ofthe ProbiSion-
al Government of The French Republic IL have
the honor to deliver you the letter Oi the Presi-
den. of the United States, in which am appoin. |
ted Extraordinary Ambassador and Minister
Plenipoentary Of that Republic, TO the Repub- |
lie of France in placing these credentials in
your hands, it is my duty at the same time. 10
express the sincere solicltude of the President
for the prosperity of France, and ] am instructed
to make known TO you his ardent desire to cult |
pae with zeal and cordially the most friendly |
relations between the two Republics which will |
serve to cement their dearest reciprocal interests
| am also instructed to declare that the President
has expressed his entire approval OF my oct, in
acknowledging the French Republic. at the mo-
Iment when ats existence was first proclaimed to |
tive world, in February, by the Provisional Gov |
ernment This took place on the third day after
its birth; it Is now already in the third month of
its existence. During this period, while the
whole of Europe has been violently agtated, and
France exposed to the severest trials and diff.
culties, the Provisional Government has succee.
ded in preserving the highest benefits of quiet
on her own soil, and peace with foreign nations
History will take due notice of this immense
work
81 am doubly fortunate in again offering my
fluctuations on this occasion, since do it with
the concurrence of my Government and Of my
country. May also be permitted 10 add my
most ardent desire that, when the Republic shall
pass from your hands, which have guided its
destinies, into those of the National Assembly,
which is soon 10 assemble, that great body may
crown its labors by giving institutions to France
which shall secure to her the greatest prosperity
and the purest glory"
M. Lamartlne answered as follows, in the name
of his associates:
"Ctizen Ambassador: The Provs onal Gov
eminent has appointed me its representative to
receive from your hands the first act of official
acknowledgment of the French Republic
France was the first to recognize the independ-
snce of the Republic Of the United States of A.
Flerica when she was young, weak, and conten-
ding for her existence; but under the fructifying
influence Of the democratic principle, she has
grown in half century to the proportions of al
most an entire continent. BY the retrlbutiye
Justice IF Providence, it was reserved to the A.
mercan Republic to be the first TO acknowledge
the new Republic of France, and, if may be
allowed the expression, to put its signature TO the
certificate of birth of the French Democracy in
Europe. Her signature, citizen Minister, will
bring happiness 10 The Republic.
Notwithstanding the agitations and embar-
easements inseparable from crisis like this of
the fall of a form of government, oethe creation
of institutions entirely different, of so great a
displa1 ement of men and of things, make known
France shall be accomplished, and that the re
public shall leave our weak hands great and DOW.
erful, to pass greater and more powerful STILL in.
to the hands OF the whole nation. What gives
us this confidence is that the French people arc
henccforward mature for their institutions. What
existed ffty-fve years ago, only in the heads OF
great spirits, has now become a part of the
thoughts and the actions of the en.ire people,
The Republic, which our people desire at the
present day. is the same which you have already
established among yourselves-a Progressive
Republic, but conservative of the rights tn,
Property, the Industry, the Trade, the rectilude
the freedom, and the moral and religious senti
mcnts of its citizens. This is Republic, who's
first call was that of generosity and brotherhood
which at once broke IN twain the weapon of re
venge and Of political reaction, and instead @
the fatal countersgn Of robbery and prescription
wrote upon its banners the abolition of the pun
ishment OF Death, and the determination of tn
people. These principles, adopted as we hope
by the National Assembly, strengthened by a
inylncbc public force, in which each citizen, q
you have seen, has become voluntary sodio
and concentrated into powerful Representatiy
Unity Of the Government, the French Repub
will make the glorious sister of the America
Republic; and it may then be said of the FrenC
people and the American people, was one
said by man dear to our two countries--tl
Republic OF the two Worlds.
as regards the sentiments which the Frent
people thankfully and arGently cherish for Il
people and Government Of the United States,
can give them ulterance, Citizen Minister, in
single word Evsry Freedman has Jor The .4n,e
leans the heat o. Lafayette.