Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-12-01
Reasons why Americans should Distrust tho Brit
ish and French Alliance.

The Washington correspondent or the Philadelphia
Ledger, gives some tolerablc good reasons, for the
distrust with which Americans regard the British and
French alliance:
We have cause to dstrust the Franco-British
Anglo French alliance for five distinct refer
ring the past, and filling with no small apPre-
hcusions as to the future.
The first time that England and France acted to-
gether, was during the negotiations preceding the
annexation of Texas. 1t then that the reprcsen
tative Of England, Capt. Elliot, and the representa-.
tive Of France, Count Stagny, joined hand in hand
not to promote either French or English interests
for neither of them involved in the question
but 10 prevent the annexation because il would add
to the power and dominion OF the United States. Ii
gratuitous act OF jealousy and i'll will to-
wards this country, showing that our progress was
looked upon with an evil and Jealous eve. This might
have been expected from Great Britain but not from
France for whose prosperity We had always cher
islied lively desire, and for whose generosity to-
wards us when we most needed 1t, We had always
felt warm gratitude.
The second time we had occasion to regret the
Anglo French alliance when were invited to
join in tripartite treaty to preserve the Island Of
Cuba to tho of Spain. That invitation was lit
tie better than an insult to England aud the United
States might as well have invited France 10 tripar-
tite treaty to preserve the Rheinsh Provinces to the
King of Prussia, or Belgium ~ it is or France and
United States might have invited England To trip
artte treaty for the purpose OF preventing the annex
alton of another Kingdom to the British Empire in
India The invitation betrayed jealousy the part
Of Great Britain, and-nost uuaccountablc to us-al-
the part of France regards the progress aud
development of the United States.
The third time that France and England joined
hand in hand thwart the views of the United States
was when the annexation of the Sandwich Islands
was seriously entertained by the Government. The
possession OF these Islands by the United States, il
France cherished her old affection for the United
States and followed her traditional policy, would be
a dissiderntum for old ally. 1t would equazr
French and English interests III the Pacific by third
maritime power, already practically established, lc-
galizing its commercial acquisition. The departure
OF France from her interest 10 subscrvc the inter-
ests of Great Britain s at this moment, pain
ful subject to the United States.
Again the United States, having very large West
India trade, and no depot for coal in any Of the
Islands, while every maratime nation ID there repre-.
sented desires the acquisition of port in the Island
of st. Domingo. The desire is no sooner known than
France aud England again unite 10 thwart our dc.
sign. The acquisition OF such a port by the United
States could not iniure either England or France
but il might possibly turn out TO the advantage OF
the United States, and for this old ally de-
serts U.S. aud supports the prctcnSons of arbiter on
the ocean of Great Britain.
To Gap the climax, there is Island in the Pacific
oil which al American Captain first discovers guuno.
He lands aud fences in the spot and returns to the
United States and communicates his discovery to his
Government. Steps taken TO acquire the Island
but here again France and England protest because
forsooth. many years ago English Captain looked
| ut the Island as Re passed II!
| These are the causes which make this Government,
and very large class Of the people of the country,
look with disrust and apprehension on the Anglo
French alliance MS forebodng them good, and
this it is which cngenders sympathy for the cuuse OF
the Russian Autocrat.
had almost forgotten to speak Of the Clayton Bul.
wer treaty. What was it that made England extend
her protccorae to Greytown, and made her take for
ciblc possession Of the Bay Islands! 1t the ac-
QUESTION by the United States Of California, which, at
once, begot the part of Great Britain the desire to
cut OFF the means of communication between the
Eastern and Western coast. She Intrigued i'll Mcxi.
co, during the war, AMI employed all her means and
energy to cause the Tehuanepec project TO fall
through aud then applied her energies TO seize upon
Sau Juan de Nicatagua. Here, too, FRANCE sitled
with England, as il to nuke tho transit European
question against America.
The Emperor OF Russia however he may have
sinned against liberty in Europe, and his transgres
eiuns in that respect are no doubt great has kept
faith with tho United Statesi and however the princ
pies of his government are opposed to the principle.
underlying our form Of government the material i'll
tcrcsts of the United States and those Of Russia are
made IDENTICAL by the operation Of the Augo'French
alliance, however friendly we may foel towards our
old generous ally, France, and whatever similarity
there may exist between the British government and
our own.