The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-02

Er0m the Nelp Orleans Picauatle.
American Revolutionary Prccedcnts.

Intervention for the aid Of Hungary discussion,
to which the passionate eoquence and lofty enthu
siasm of Kossuth give so much exciting interest
the history Of our own Revolution is constantly re
ferred to as a standard by which to measure our
duty towards others. The aid received from
France, and the chvalry of Lafayette and his
compeers-volunteers from Europe the side OF
struggling liberty in America-are cited from day
to day as constituting valid grounds for asking
similar exertons in behalf of revolutionary move
ments in Europe, having in view the same object
| OF national independence and popular progress.
Such an appeal touches at once pride and our
sensibility as a people The golden rule Of doing
to others what desire they should do to US, and
Of returning sevenfold the good we have received,
| seems to demand from us sacrifices and exertions
for the regeneration Of Europe. But let US not be
misled by mere defamation to misread the facts
of history, and to admit, from sentiment or from
feeling, precedents and obligations which do not
exist in the true variations of the past. There is
not, we believe, either in the political relations of
France towards tho United States, or the career of
| Lafayette, to whom we pay 80 much reverence
and gratitude, any analogy to sustain the require
ments made by those who would embark our Gov
eminent in the wars Of Europe, or in pledges Of a
policy which is idle parade il we are not pre-
| pared to announce that it shall be supported by
the revenues and armies Of the country.
Ii ia true, indeed, that the American colonies,
| even before the Declaration Of Independence, at
| tempted to open communication by secret COM
| mittees with the agents of various European GO
vernments most hostile to Great Britain, to ascer-
tain how far they might be disposed to take part
with the colonies in the event of war. As early
| as November, ITS, committee Of Congress, of
whom DR.. Franklin one, entered into cor.
| respondenco with persons in Holland, to en-
deavor to learn what treaties could BIO affected
with "independent people" in America for
the benefit of their commerce. In March, l776,
four months before the Declaration Of Independ-
cnce, a revolutionary delegation was appointed
to France, and Slas Deane, commissioned by
| them. arrived in Paris in July, empowered to open
communication with the Count de Vergennes
for immediate aid, in supplies Of money and cloth
ing, and to try to negotiate recognition we'll as
aid. The Court of France gave him no official
encouragement and no public reception. Their
disposition undoubtedly strong, for they
were but just recovering from the effects of the
war which terminated in 1863, by which Great
Britain had wrested from France all her ancient
possessions in America except the town of New
Orleans and few scattering settlements on the
Mississippi. France lost Canada and Nova Scotia,
and Spain the ally Of France lost Florida and all
The naval supremacy of Great Britain had been
established TO excite the jealousy of all the
continental powers; and it a European prin-
ciple of conduct to favor any thing which would
cripple the power Of England. The feeling of
France was, therefore, all the side of the re-
voting colonies from matters Of policy, feeling,
and selfintercst, and these were unquestionably
the motives which prompted French zeal for CO.
lonial resistance. Yet it is notorious that all the
solicitations Of the American envoy, and all the
considerations Of public policy, intellectual to
obtain any national acknowledgment Of American
independence before war existed in fact, or, in
deed, until the prospects of success assumed
llattering aspect by the surrender of Burgoyne in
IT'S.
All the aid given by the French government
before that period was indirect unofficial, and
avowed. MIR. Deane assured Of personal &C.
curity, although the British government went
far as TO demand him rebel. The cus-
tom house tolerated the purchase and shipment
of stores, under the disguise of mercantile spccu-
lations and, when the British demonstrated,
several vessels were detained her representa-
ton, but finally released and permitted to depart.
Great Britain was unwilling TO push the matter
too strongly, not being DESTROYS of war; France,
all the time maintaining the face of withhold
ing any national countenance to the American
cause. DIR. Franklin became associated with Mr..
Deane in this mission Immediately after the
Declaration Of Independence. His efforts did not
change the official relations Of the two govern
ments lie wns not received acknowledge
public functionary, but privately enter
tanned, grounds of enmty to Great Britain,
for the purpose of seizing the opportunity to
strike an efiectual blow at her; and this line Of
policy left until it was supposed that
lght wifi he az Of
France. and thus the opportunity be lost of GER
tain acquisitions in this country, which events
afterwards showed that France and Spain en-
pected for themselves. When pressed for expla.
nations by Great Britain sho evadcd the demand,
complied in form without exacting obedience
to the orders she was obliged 10 issue. At one
time order obtained for all American ves-
sells and their prizes to quit the ports OF France
but by various pretexts the execution of the or
der postponed until open war with England
repealed them in fact. Burgoyne surrendered in
October, i777 and in December the King Of France
signifed his assent 10 make a treaty of recognition
and alliance, which wac signed in February,
IT'S. Not till then did the French government
ever receive an American envoy in any character,
acknowledge officially the existence ofthc Decls-
ration Of Independence, The declaration, and the
hsgrant war vsgcd between Great Britain and
her revolted colo les, wac publicly ignored by all
the departments OF the French government. The
example in her lie that Of maintaining official
neutrality, and at the same time giving surrepti-
tious aid by countenancing eyasions Of her own
laws, and giving secret assistance, which che dared
not openly confess, waiting for such developments
as would make movements for her own interest
safe or at least inevitable.
We submit that there Is a wide difference be
tween this policy Of protested G. Government neutral
ity and social encouragement, and the policy
pressed upon us, Of cmbarking at once in revou-
tionary designs in anticipation Of any actual move
ments by the parties themselves; and making pro.
carnations Of principles in hostility to the known
designs Of the great powers Of Europe, which can
only be made respectable by an armed attitude 10
enforce them at all points.
The position invited to take is certainly
that most consistent with the candor and magma.
nmity Of great nation. But it is totally differ
ent from that of France towards us and is be de-
Tended and maintained on different grounds As
| II is new question entirely in public relations, 20
| let IL stand on its own merits, without drawing
|