Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-04-14


as Minister of Foreign Affairs: these two posts
being severed again, after having been united
IN Mr. (2u;zot. who, and all his associates in
the late ministry, have fled.
Of revolution so total and sudden, am
mt now to speak. The journals of the world
are still teeming with it. Nor can | yet speak
of the acts of the new government, except to
say that they have been characterized so far
by moderation and magnanimity in the midst
of triumphs of a nature to have intoxicated
minds less pure and firm than happily are be-
lieved to be possessed by its leading members.
pass to what, foremost of all at present,
am bound to report to you-namely, the part
which, as representing the United States,
have taken under the new duties that encom-
passed me. -.
On Saturday, the 26th, received an init,
nation, earnestly given, that my personal
presence at the Hotel de Vile, to cneef ana
facilitate the provisional government "ouIu
be acceptable. The intlmatlon was net OIL
cially sent, but believed It 10 De uue.
| sskod short interval for reflection.
| BEFORE the day was out, impaired my de-
termination 10 take the step.
Monday morning, the 28th, was the time
Amounted for it and accordingly repaired to
the Hotel de Vile, the Secretary of Legation
accompanying me.
To the provisional government there assem-
bled, delivered the address, copy OF which
is enclosed
1t was cordially received, and M. Arago, on
the part of the members, replied to it.
He remarked that they heard, without sur
prise, but with lively pleasure, what said ::
France expected it from an ally to. whom she
now drew SO close by the proclamation of the
republic. He thanked me in the name of the
provisional government, for the wishes ex-
pressed for the greatness and prosperity Of
France; and, abiding to the words it had
called up from General Washington's address
in 1896, on receiving the French colors, he
expressed confidence that they would be not
merely desire but a reality.
Mr.. Dupont de FEure, as President of the
provisional government, then advanced, and
taking me by the hand, said, " The French
people grasp that of the American nation"
Here the ceremony ended. In coming a.
way, three of the members of the government
conducted us out of the building the guard
presented arms, and cries went up OF g VlUe
la republique DIES Etats Uois.'' Major Pous-
sin, French officer, who accompanied Gen'l
Bernard to the United States, and who, from
his attachment to our country, was naturalized
there, also attended me.
On sunday, me L|l1s L TeCS1Veu uOIc Vi
that days date from Mr. Lamartine, as provi-
sional Minister of Foreign Affairs, which an
nounced to me, in official form, the existence
of the new government. | answered it on
Monday. Copies of the note and answer are
enclosed.
The provisional government published my
answer the morning after its reception. My
address of Monday has also appeared in the
newspaperS-not, however, in its exact form.
had written il out, to guard against inaccu-
racies on an occasion so grave, and left the
paper in the hands of the provisional govern
ment; TRANSFER pit of which you now have.
This succinct narrative will accurately ap-
prise the President of what ] have done.
shall anXiously await his Judgment upon it all.
The events were as new as mOmentOus. They
had transcribed all expectation. In recOgni-
zng the new state of things as far as could
without your instructions, and in doing it
promptly and soemnly, I had the deep con-
victon that was stepping forth in the aid of
the great cause of order in France and beyond
France-and that was acting in the spirit of
my government and country, the interpreter of
whose voice it fell upon me suddenly to be-
come. If erred, | must hope that the mo-
tives which swayed me will be my shield
! The provisional government needed all the
moral support attainable, after revolutionary
hurricane which shook society to its base, and
left everything at first portentous and trem-
bling. In such an eXigency, hours, moments
were important; and the United States are felt
as power in the world, under the blow that
has been struck
| am not unaware that the course have
pursued departs from diplomatic usage, and
separates me, for the time being, from the Eu'
ropean diplomatic corps accredited, like my.
self, to the late government of France; all the
members of which will probably wait instruc
tons before adopting any steps of recognition
Having acted under a sense of Independent
duty in the emergency, I am, however, mo-
: the less aware that the diplomatic corps rep.
resents countries in friendly relations with the
United States: and that it will hence be as
: much my duty as inclination to go on main
tanning that amicable footing with its members
ever dictated by reciprocal goodwill among
! the representatives of friendly powers, what
= ever different forms of government they may
represent.
!, have the honor, &c.,
RICHARD RUSH.
b. Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN, Secretary of State.
To the members of the Provisional Govern
ment of the French Republic
GENTLEMEN: AS the representative of thu
> United States, charged with the interests anc
rights of my country and of American citizens
now in France, and too far off to wait instruc
lions, seize this early opportunity of tender
: ing to you my fluctuations, not doubling thu
sanction of my government to the step thu
E take in advance. Nor can | avoid the occa
$ sion of saying that the memory of the ALI
Il ance and friendship between France and the
;, United States is ever fresh and grateful will
i us; and that am of nothing more sure thar
that the voice of my country will be univer
e sal and loud for the prosperity, :happness, ant
o glory of France under the institutions she ha
n announced, subject to ratification by nationa
, will. All will ardentIy hope that, through
e her wisdom, the results may be beneficial t
i mankind, of which the magnanimous bearing
4 of her people in the late events affords 81
u suspicious promise. 1t is under such inst
e tutions that the United States have, for seven
{ ty years, enjoyed constant prosperitey, with ,
{ government of uniform stability; and, Wills
II they invariably leave other nations the choic,
II OF their own forms, without interference in a
u ny way, they would naturally rejoice in be
u holding this great nation flourish under insti
l. tutlons which have secured for themselves tn,
II blessings of social order and public liberty.
Allow me, then, gentlemen, using the word
a of the great and good Washington, the i'm
e mortal founder of my country, on an occasion
d which the nrnsent recalls IN sipnaliyn hi;