New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-04-06
BEIUMARCHAIS, THE MERCHANT
LEcruREssY THE HON. JOHN BIGELow.


The monthly meeting of the NewYOrk His
toca Society held last evening in the ectureroom
oue Society building on second-ave Eulogisc resOlu
lions commemorative Of the late Cuban c. Verpanck
were adopted and IL announced that the 9TH OF
MAY 3 discourse commemorative Of him would be de-
iyered by Mr.. William Cullen Bryant, and that on the
AIN Of June commemorative service would be held in
The Academy Of Music. at which the Hon. Vim. II. Sew
ard would preside committee Of Is was appointed 10
carry on. the design of the Society by establishing mu
seua the Central Park the site granted by the State,
IL winch the socetys treasures OF historical curostes
md antiquities may be properly preserved and ex-
abted
The discourse Of the evening was by the Hon. John
Bigeov, on the subject Of "Beaumarchais, tho Mer-
Chart" He said
There are few who have OF heard OF the Barber Of
sele" and still fewer perhaps, who know anything OF
che par played by It's author IN the struggle OF TIE
iar thing elise which made Louis XVI favorable TO
re and se s OWN he a R e
heme 10y which and IN the form Of supplies, was given
s.eird It was also manly by his Influence that
trf, or fifty capable French officers led 10 en-
btscr toe colonial cause. l have some new evidence
10 o1.T " the gratitude owe him. Early in l776
Fea m ar hais invented the mercantile plan by which
tssif DEmSered among them Under the name of Rod
rg, HoIaling 81 Co, he entered in the shipping trade
S1S 9e en EMP 20 81 h a eodby But his
"a " niIr5 chars,cfer that Congress could not under
s1ncStai and commercial functions OF his project to
ttc - ytycaDv confused that it was not til
his death that Congress voted the reparation due him.
GOAT ne went his grave thinking himself the VIC
In ny Beaumarchais had sent 10 Congress nearly
hOJ00 worth OF supplies, for which he counted upon
rec r prompt returns in tobacco and the other pro
due ~ tlis country. But the cargOes had in many
Jrca hurried of hastily at night, so That the u
irregular, and the somewhat quixoue letters
u Braum2Tchais IN which business and sentiment were
ming ed together with the Misrepresentation OF Arthur
lee then American agent at London, made Congress dis.
trusi fat Of the whole affair and Beaumarchas received
uele, produce in return for his cargoes In
The embarrassment which the state OF thngs
hatr..'iy caused him. he sent to this country
y".hg confidential agent, named De frahcey' TO
Ook alter bis suffering Interests Inc letters sent W
TOuIs fDeFrancey TO Beaumarchais have been pre-
serycl aud by the politeness OF NJ Deiarue Beauar
tha!. lie Of our great benefacIOr nave Deeh en
ABLE 10 take copies OF these $500.
NJ B4eow then read extracts from these letters,
mar oi them very witty, giving viva luea oi tne
Slef lions Of Beaumarchais, and OF the state OF the
Frsirry wrote that Beaumarchas had evidently been
presented in this cOuntfy that he had been met by
. ons augmented by the facts that some vessels nave
been cent over without invoices and with other
hreguiarties The Misrepresentation which he
bur lee then American Agent at London, and as
Subsequently appeared ms suSpieions i t ,T I'M
pe, sen, by Beaumarchais were sent NY hun as agent
Er H. t,oveynmenf and that he had been officially in.
E-,''J t,st no ret.iru was expected This statement
Naturally led Congress 10 dstrust Beaumarcnas' ne
FaD avs n so that he believes that IN the letters Of
L. Renarcbais Is painted IN the blacklist cOlOrs ana
d. N anonymous Letters his zeal Tor the cOiohlal
tNuse been msrepresented and LIS character ma
De Franoeys diguati0n at the individuals 10 congress
rbo have uppOsed Beaumarchas knows 10 bounds, ana
h. ,vcu rises 10 denuuciatiOu Of Congress general MI
tOber wished the returns not TO be sent directly
L. u auUarcLais but TO agents In London who shOuld
esl the merchandise and give him the proceeds rms
be Inery thinks becase these are the agents whom
Mr. Morris employs IN this private business, and
fha, IL will be Of advantage 10 mm TO throw
suCh good thing III their way. The members
Vi Congress he divides into two clahses-thOse
Who have bOundess selfcOncet and those VINO nave no
Will Of their own. when arrived found ne says,
hat Congress did not believe that any INDIVIDUAL cOun
have done 30 much this country yOu have done
5heso Reppilicans have no principles. we get many
glimpse too the state Of the country ana people IRON
tleg letters on the day DE Francey landed the good
news VI Burgoyne's surrender came. But the enemy
Gen Howe had Just arrived with IeenfOrceDents IRON
England Congress had eXhauscd the resources OF paper
money and Washing on's army was freezing ana starry
ing at Valley Forge.
He speaks Of great virtues OF the people OF seeing
sde, In the bitterest cold Of January with nothing but
blanket for covering, without shoes or stockings. Ia
eDoy M 10 their knees lie regrets that such noble
pie should be badly led. De fraDeey returned 10
Jnrope in 1850 Have We done our dlay a. "a nation,
asked the lecturer IN conclusion by the memory Of Beau
aarchasf fear that only ms services TO tho cause
Amc rican but ms literary and diplomatic
power are moderated on this side OF the Atlantic hha
.pJstsIy In tins country do HIM the justice which ms
American cOtempOranes were preYeIied from DONG
aim by an unfortunate combination of circumstance or
kban people always cite tho te OF Beaumaiehas 10 a.
Illustrate the ingrattude Of republicsf
On motion Of DR. OsgoOd, committee was appointed
20 further Investigate Tie claims Of BcaunaIcbas upon
shaE1s % Mr. Bigelow passed. after complimentary
epclfins