The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-19

qu conqnis tire par de 81 mobiles services rem
dus a son pays, j'ai Pespoir que la France qai
touours honorer lie devouement ct la goire, trouvera
EN- lui cette meme sympathie qui Famine envers la
noble nation pres de laquelle j'ai Phonneur de la
representer.
ITRANsLATIoN.l
Mr.. PRESIDENT: In confding TO me the mission
which fulfil you, the President of the French
republic has conferred a double honor-that
of representing my country near the noble Ameri-
nation, and that Of rees establishing the rela-
tons momentarily interrupted, between the two
governments. Allow Inc, Mr. President. 10 felici-
tate myself on having to perform duty dear 10
my heart, and TO express TO you the hope that no
misunderstanding will in future disturb the union
which exists between two nations bound together by
50 many sympathes. What other term could ], in
fact, apply to any thing which might endanger,
even in appearance, relations founded upon sen
timents of generosity real and 80 solid? France
was the first to support American independence by
arms and to recognise it by treaties; and the blood
of her children is mingled in this sacred land with
that ofthe martyrs its independence The govern
ment Of the United States, its part, the first
to recognise the French republic when it had been
freely proclaimed by France Would il not be
spectacle painful to humanity, and deplorable for
ones which have presented the example, 30 noble
and SO consoling for human dignity, of govern
ment founded upon right, and upon the wishes of
all its citizens, separated from each other by tri-
fling interests? No! Such spectacle will not be
given to the world which looks upon us and the
two sister republics will prove by their example
that, if order and liberty may be guaranteed by
governments freely elected international relations
may likewise find in the same principle a solid and
durable basis.
According to the desire of the French republic
such will be my duty; and in fulfilling it near a
government 50 enlightened that of the United
States, hope not only to experience no difficulty
in preserving a union precious, but also to see it
strengthened by new bonds The political, COM
mercial, and religious liberties of the whole world
are interested in it, and in seeing at the head of
this Government patriot warrior, who has con
quered his title by such noble services to his coun-
try, have the hope that France, which has always
honored devotion and glory, will find in him the
same sympathy which animates her towards the
noble nation near which have the honor of repre-
senting her.
TO the Minister'S address the PREsI-
DENT replied as follows:
Sin: express the sentiment of the American
people in welcoming you most cordially, as the
lean heart by the "reminiscences of the past and the
anticipations of the future. 1t is subject of sin
felicitation to to be the instrument of re-
establishing relations, momentarily interrupted,
between two nations bound together by so many
associations, and unite with you in the sincere ex-
preston OF the hope that nothing will henceforth
disturb those sympathes which have SO long united
them together in the bonds of friendship.
We have ever held in grateful remembrance the
assistance which France rendered US in our revo-
iutonary war; and we can never forget that she
was the first to sustain by her and to recog-
Mise by treaties American Independence. With
pride we reenr to that portion of our history, TO
which you have adverted, which records the united
struggle of the Frenchman and the American in
the cause Of human liberty, mingling their blood
and sleeping in death together on battle fields con-
secrated by their heroic valor
We glory, too, in the recollection that the Gov
eminent of the United States was the first to greet
the French republic when freely proclaimed by
the people of France and we rejoice in the belief
that no trififag interests divide u.s. The har-
mony of the two great sister republics should ever
be maintained ON terms honorable to both; and
their best interests should be regarded as in.
separately interviewer. Represented by Minister
of such distinguished reputation, France will,
trust, find that no cloud can, for a moment, over
shadow amicable relations; and abide in the
confidence that her iustrous President, chosen by
the free voice of enlightened nation TO maintain
its honor, happiness, and prosperity, will, on all
occasions, cooperate with me in my honest efforts
not only to preserve but to strengthen the ties of
amty between US; so that we may perpetualy pre-
sent TO the world proud spectacle Of union and
concord.