Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-11-23
THE UNITED STATES STEAMER "FRANKLIN"
AT HAVRE, (FRANCE.)


A day or two before the Franklin sailed from
Havre magnificent dinner was given on board, a
which over two hundred distinguished personage
from Paris and other ports of France were present
among them representatives from the Post Ofhc'
Department of Government and the Department
of Foreign Affairs, Members of the National As
semby, Members of the diplomatic corps, and re
representatives. from the principal presses OF thu
Capital. All the foreign Consuls at Havre alst
participated in the festivities. Toasts repete will
international good will and with the best wishe.
for the success of the new line Of steamers, were
given, and eloquent speeches were made by Mr.
RIvEs our Minister to France M. LEON FAUcHER
Vice President of the National Assembly; M. HER
WERE, Vice President Of the Chamber Of Commerce
M. DE L'EsPEE one of the Directors Of the Havrt
and Rouen Railroad; M. EREpERT, merchant a
Havre; Mr.. FEATHERsToNHAUGH, English Consul
at Havre; Mr.. WoTToN, captain, and Mr.. lsELIN
consignee of the Franklin, and others.
The saloon was gaily decorated with flags, the
trcolor and the stars and stripes being ingeniousy
intertwined around the pillars and ceilings. The
repast was prepared in the most liberal and splen
did style. Many of the dishes were peculiarly
American, and such Justice was done to them as
showed they were fully appreciated by the foreig
guests.
Captain WoTToN commenced the toasts by pro-
posing the health Of the President Of the French
Republic, which was received with great enthusiasm
M. DE LEssEPs, who represented the Minister Of
Foreign Affairs, neatly replied in behalf Of the
French President, and concluded by proposing the
health of the President of the United States. This
was received with the greatest enthusiasm, and was
responded to by Mr.. RvEs as follows:
GENTLEMEN Permit pe, in returning thanks for The
k..,. - r. IS The
United States, to offer you toast which, doubt not will
find ready and responsive echo in the bosoms Of all present
II invite you drink "To the perpeuy Of the ancient
friendship between France and the United States. II is
now three quarters OF century since our great statesman
and philosopher Benjamin Franklin, who belonged by his
affections and his great renown, France well as TO the
United S,aes laid the foundations Of the eventu alliance
between the two countries Now have ambassador
OF another kind, still bearing the OF Franklin and more
powerful than the FIRST which has consolidate
and sancy this ancient alliance by the bonds and reciprocal
advantages of direct and active France
and the United States not merely friends and allies but
neghbors for the washes the shores of both
tries and in the times in which live the is longer
barrier to divide but rather means OF approximation
facilitate intercourse and good neghborhood Why therefore,
should we have recourse to intermediary carry on
each other convey correspondence
our persons in the intercourse of friendship business
from to the other The interest," the dignity, the indie
pendence Of the nations demands that reciprocal
should be effected by the agency Of
vessels Of the quickest and improved kind, and under
the proud auspices of respective flags. The United
States extend their hands France and invite her
join them in this great enterprise Of binding the two
res closely together by direct line of steam navigation
before which the obstacles of time and distance alike disappear
If this pregnant scheme shall be realized, only will the
commerce and the useful and friendly relations Of every kind
between France and the United States receive and
instantaneous Development but France with her network
of railways branching out from the seaboard to all the prin
cpa points Of the inland frontier, will become the great
horoughare for the transit of the commerce. the correspond
and the travel of the continent of Europe the New
World. Allow me, then, gentlemen, to add to the toast
which have already had the honor to propose To the
perpetuy of the ancient friendship between France and the
United States brief appendix, containing the simple and
practical Of its fulmen direct line of steam
half French, half American, between Hae and New
York" ..
At the conclusion Of this speech, which received with
no little enthusiasm, Capt. WorroS gave "The National
Assembly of France" to which M. LEON FAucHER replied
in speech Of great warmth and by proposing The Con-
gress Of America" @ .. '".>,
The whole occasion in all respects most interesting
and happy one and the guests late hour left the noble
steamer amid the salvos of her artillery. d.