New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-19
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.
FRESH DOCUMENTS FROM THE FRENCH
ARCHIVES.

sew MATERIALS r9R THE HIs ETTnsasl.t ST from
AMERIcAN REVQLUr rb Archives. snd Edited BY
John Durand I2mo, pp. W., Sll' @en1' ~
d Co.
The researches of Mr.. Durand in the FFhch
.,eh,vss On far toward demonstrating the !usuco
NJ his conclusion " that we were hOe no "0-
so,roea abortp the relations of France to the amer
tean Revolution as we should BE- lneSe "io
have been consulted by American historians anu
Mr. bancroft says Of them TINT they aro fi'u IL
materials for every branch OF history IL ono 'ne'
are unique. The dispatches OF inc freh0n Gu.
Vows al Philadelphia to their Government Coh', a
,hs ,,ost complete reports which exist of the dis.
100 IN Congress- from l7Is 20 the adoption
N ,be Constitution in 1880. Congress sat- 1t Is
,r,s with closed doors, but the French Ministers
knev how to obtain information on every pro-
es>dins That interested their country" In 1ach
=. Mr., Durand is enabled 10 show, they were al.
r,ttted 20 the debates whenever the interests Oh
France were concerned Mr.. Bancrofts use OF
,heae Documents however. has been far from eA-
hausttyes ana Mr. Durand has gathered IN ths
vohuue quantity Of highly interesting ana ilh'
nortant material never before published from
IRE eorrespondence Of the French ENJOYS, 1eraru
IA Rsrneysl and the Chevslicr de Luzerne, reaC-
tnv "a the secret debates Of the Contlnentai Con.
aress. and the cabal against Washington, all
,,,,,., evidence concerning which latter has been
a carefully suppressed or destroyed that American
Historians have been able to gather little moro 'n"h
the outline OF 10.
Besides this the editor has brought togetner
much new or little known matter reialihs "
Caron de Raumarchsis and the American he'oiu
ton, aud this matter forms deeply lntefeSU'ns
narrative, though one which no patriot can re''u
nc this time without regret and hunlhn'lon'
The letters of the French ENJOYS at Phihdeiphia
were written from q dispassionate point OF Vie"'
and being free from all the local partisan influences
which so seriously affect the greater part OF the
contemporary American chronicles. they throw
new light upon the politics Of 177S-'79, especially
M they bring out the intensity Of party spirit
and the extent TO which selfsh intrigue hnuerco
the progess Of the revolutionary operations Inc
French ENJOYS, writing solely for the information
Of tsifir Government, had motive for suprressing
or mitissting anything. They called things ~
their names They marked and recorded the
catals and plots which politicians were contnuaIy
arranging and they made il their special business
70 observe and follow the opposition to the Frenoh
alliance and the movements toward peace with
England.
The first extracts given arc from the oorre-
abundance Of q NJ Bonvouloir, who acted 90
sors Of unrecognzed secret agent OF France before
she en- ployed regularly accredited ENJOYS. Bon
youloir's mission wos 10 sound Congress. de had
no powers, could promise nothing, but 1t was
understood that he was IN direct communication
with his Government, and that his recommenda-
tions would be favorably received. his let'efs
are chiefly interesting for his record OF the I'M
pression made upon him by the resolution and
energy of the Colonists in 1875. he did not
- 1T, nal reached
paris Silas Deane had been accredited there.
Bonyouloir seems 10 have viewed the situation
through rose-eolored glasses, for his accounts Of
the Colonial resources and Of the strength OF
their armies are not little exaggerated. When
che French envoys came to reside at Philadelphia
tho situation did not appear 70 them nearly 80
bopoful, and as time passed much Of the spirit
whic had 50 Impressed the early etnissary faded
ir.to a DANGEROUS apathy. But what oil these
documents emphasize is the extent OF the obiga-
ttons of the Colonies toward France The fact
was NOT only perforce recognized ct the time; II
was bitterly resented by the faction led ny the
Adsrsses and Lees. John Adams on one occasion
openiy declared that he would rather die than
exehsnge the chains Of Great Britain for those OF
Fsanoe-which was a peculiar view 70 take, seeing
that without the aid OF France the independence
Of the States never could have been secured, and
that the magnitude Of the suecor extended by
her rendered IL imperative that she should have
q voice in their employment.
The story OF Beaumarchais and the American
Revolution is not a pleasant one for Americans
70 read yet 1t is highly desirable that they should
know t. The brilliant Frenchman was among
the fret 10 perceive the importance to his country
OF assisting the rebelhous Colonies. and under
verseunes he did admirable service a. diploma
n 90 mi
90 tifs policy. Beaumarchaiss letters 10 the
King here printed in full are decidedly lively
reading The author Of " The Barber OF Seville
ana The Marriage of Figaro was a born drama
tist. and his diplomatic arguments light hare been
written for the stage. They are full Of the most
nudscious sophstry put in the most telling way
They are GO once loyal, respectful and amazingly
tmpudent. Evidently he had gaused the Kings
character and knew how far he could venture with
him and the event proved the soundness OF MS
Judgment OF course IL was not to he expected
chat France an absolute monarchy, would help 10
establish q republic from love OF liberty. beau
marchais and Yefaennes never pretended any Such
srm ua,hy. though John Adams, when in Paris, sub
seouently adopted the extraordinary theory thai
,or,ething like this had been the motive OF Tho
Preach Government. But, as France and England
aero st peace and as the former was not prepared
for war IL was absolutely necessary that, II ale
,ere given 20 America, IL should be given sC
cautiously that IL could not be traced to thu
Government.
This necessity was the germ Of the famous firm
OF Roderieus IIartalcx & Co., which was The con
eeption OF Beaumsrchais and which he established
ana carried on. The French Government put II
A million francs and that OF Spain another million
and IL was arranged that supplies of arms anC
munitions Of war should be furnished beaumar
ohais for his firm from the French arSensls' n
undertaking 70 pay for or TO replace them.
the outset On unfortunate misunderstandin'
occurred. Arthur Lee who Was by no means re
s.rdfpl a, the truth. and disBked and was jealou
Of I,ca,urarchafs, told Congress that oil the sup
49, "a H.. I,AAa.in,,n uartnleI 4 Co Nver