The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-03
AMATTER OF HISTORY.

10 the tolicT OF inc LAs4G-
Your correspondent, w. f. Hutchinson,
in giving Facts About American indie
pendence." some time since, gives TOO
much credit TO NJ. De Beaumarchais for
the aid the colonies received from France
in their struggle with Great Britain for
independence.
Upon the authority of Pitkin's History
of the United States, published at New
Haven in 1928, we are able TO state that
Beaumarchais acted wholly in the ca
pacity as agent for the French court.
DIR. Dubourg, who was particularly
frindly to the American cause, and who
by the way, first introduced Mr.. Deane
TO Vergennes, the French minister, made
serious objections to Mr.. Deane's trust
ing the promises of Beaumarchais, who.
though man of abilities. was a man Of
pleasure, and not of business. Upon the
strength of this Mr.. Deane sought an
other interview with Nergennes, who
informed MIN that he might rely on
whatever Beaumarchais should engage
in the commercial way of supplies.
But before Mr.. Deane arrived in Paris,
WHICH was III OulNs lttps the itutu
court, having determined to assist the
Americans, but in the most secret man
ner. in the spring of 1916 sent an agent
to London, Beaumarchais, 10 confer with
Arthur Lee, the agent of the secret COM
mittee of congress. AT our first inter-
view" Mr. Lee writes to his committee.
che informed me that the court
of France wished 20 send
an aid to America of 200. 600 louis d Or
IA louis dor is about $3.50 in specie arms
and ammunition. He requested of Mr.
Lee to give the earliest intelligence of
this to congress; and that a small quantity
of tobacco. or some other production of
America, might be returned to give it
the air of mercantile transaction, de-
claring that it was for a cover only, not
for payment, as the remittance was
gratuitous on the part OF the French
court.
This was the commencement of a
transaction. which for long time was
involved in mystery. But history now
tells us that tie king of Spain rs well as
of France was secret partner in this
mysterious commercial house OF
RoderiGue. Hortales x Co. As Mr. Lee.
while in Spain on American affairs in
1717 ascertained, as certain fact that
Spain sent to France a million livres for
the Americans, more than year pre-
viou5 to that time.
As further proof that Beaumarchais
or Roderique. HOrtales & Co. was simply
the secret agent Of the French court.
That he did not advance dollar of his
own TO promote the American cause we
would call attention to the joint letter
written by DR.. Franklin and Mr.. Lee 10
the secret committee of congress in the
latter part Of 1111. Referring 10
the cargOe5 of arms, ammuni-
ton, etc, TO America bv Beau
marchais. They said VI. de Nergennes
the minis err, his secretary, have repeat
edly assured Us, that no return was 20 be
expected for these CargOes, or for what
". de BeaumarChais furnished III. This
gentleman IS not a merchant, but Is
known as a political agent employed by
the French court. Remittances. there
fore. TO him. so far from covering the
business, would create suspicious. or
rather satisfy the British court these sus-
picions were Just. Ut the same time his
and situation. forbid one
to hope that your property being once in
his hands. could be recovered: and as an
10 force him to account would
hazard a discovery Of the whole trans
action, this government would, Of course,
discountenance. or forbid II.
Now note the sequel BeaumarchaiS
taking advantage of the forced secrecy Of
the American congress. sent al agent 10
America by the name Of DE- Francey, in
December. i1s1. 10 demand from con-
Cress payment for ali the military stores
articles transmitted through the house of
HortaIes x Ga. TIE American congress. .
nevertheless knowing the injustice q has
claim. allow cd it. and finally paid H.
But We never honyTei Beaumar-
chais.' your correspondent writes. I'm
view Of al the facts IN th- case. should .
we be called upon to DO So: r. y. ". 7