The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-06-02
x. Y. z. SECRETS.
History of the Famous Mis-
sion Told by a Jersey
City Student
MR.. HO0s' ADDRESS IN PRINCETON
81 HFI699I-5HI0I n9N1ag9
Causes Which Led to President
hlAu F13YgI- 2861A ~
Adams Severe Criticism
Of French Diplomacy.

Princeton College, Edward Fl. Hoos OF
the Glass '95, a son of Assemblyman
Edward Hoos, the well known and re-
spected citizen of this city, delivered a
~singularly able address on the famous
x. x. q. mission of distinguished Amerl-
cans to France during the early days of
the Republic.
The young orator, after sketching the
causes which led up to the formation of
the mission, extensively examined the
peculiar. circumstances and events con-
nected with it and which very nearly
.engulfed the two republics in a deadly
combat. AT the very outset, he said,
there was noticeable a disposition on the
part of France to conduct business iL.
IN indirect and unofficial way, a pro.
ceeding which characterized all the nego-
tiations and did anything but reflect
credit IN the French Government. The
mission from America were Messrs.
Pinckney, Marshall and Gerry, and the
unofficial agents of the French Minister
of State were denominated x. Y. 2.
x. was M. Hollingeur. Y. was M. Bel
lamy, and q. was NJ. Hauteril.
The negotiations proceeded and a loan
NoS ~ diio VII 4s Sdid ~ t-iN
ENJOYS of America that if satisfaction
were made he essential part of the
treaty between the countries could be az
justed. adding 81 faut de largent, ct
IL fault beaucoup d'argent." The Ameri~
can ENJOYS upheld that they had no
power to make a treaty and as to the
loan not a sixpence. which phrase was
ultimately converted into the famous say
dng. millions for defense, but not one
cent Tor tribute" Talleyrand and Mr..
Gerry had an interview in which the
Willy Frenchman spoke of the arret
which the Directory had passed with re-
gard to a speech made by President
Adams OF the American Republic, and re-
marked That by the ENJOYS offering
money, he, T~aleyrand, could prevent the
affect Of the arret. Mr.. Hoos quoted
the objectionable paragraphs of the
Presidents speech They are:-
With this conduct OF the French
view the public audience given to the
late minister of the United States on his
taking leave OF the Executive Directory.
The speech of the President discloses sem
timents more alarming than the refusal
Of a minister, because more dangerous
to our independence and union, and at the
same time ~studlously marked with indig-
mites against the Government of the
United States.
TT evinces a disposition to separate
the people OF the United States from the
Government of the Uniled olaees, - p..-
suade them hat they have different arIee-
tons, principles and interests from those
of their felow citizens, whom they them
selves have chosen to manage their com
mon concerns; and thus to produce divis-
ions fatal to our peace. Such attempts
ought to be repealed with a decision. which
shall convince France and the world that
we are not a degraded people, Inundated
under a colonial spirit of fear and sense
Of inferiorlty, fitted. to be the miserable
Instruments of foreign influence, and re-
9ardless of national honor, character and
The diplomatic intercourse between the
United States and France being at pres
ent suspended. the Government has no
means of obtaining official information
from that country; nevertheless there is
Directory passed a decree on the second Of
March last, c~ontravening, in part, the
treaty of amity and of ITS, in
furious. to our lawful commerce, and en-
dangerfng the lives of our citizens. A
copy. of this decree Will be laid before you.
While We are e~ndeavoring to adjust all
our differences with France by amicable
negotiation, the progress of the war in
Europe, the depredations on our COM
merce, the personal injuries to our citi-
zens and the general complexion of af-
fairs, render it my indispensable duty to
recommend to your consideration effectual
means of defense.
1T is impossible to conceal from our
selves, or the world, what has been be-
~ ~, 0SN%
employed to foster and establish a divis-
ion between the Government and people
of the United States.
"sTo investigate the causes which have
encouraged this attempt is not necessary.
But to repel, by decided and united coun-
ellis, insinuations so d~erogatory to the
honor, and aggressionS so dangerous to
the constitution, union even indepen-
dence OF the nation, is an indispensable
DUTY; -
of them was that though our envoy
would not be received by the Directory,
yet, if the douceur was paid, they would
allow them to stay in Paris till one of
the ENJOYS had consulted our Government;
but they would not cease depredations in
the meantime.
1.-THE fate of Venice was pictured in
glowing colors; the successes of Napoleon,
the dangerous position of England were
commented upon.
Our ENJOYS, while tracing the relations
between the two countries, set forth the
injustice of France; they declared the posi-
ton of the United States to be a neutral
one and to grant a loan was to take part
of France was 6. surrender of our inde-
p~endence. Furthermore, they agreed
to have no more dealings with unofficial
agents, and so signif1ed their Intentions.
Q the eleventh Of November. 1897. our
rand complaining that their let
been answered. 1t also emphasized
their friendly feelings and their sincere
wishes to restore harmony. Through their
Secretary, Rutledge, they were informed
official information relative to this bust
ness was, however, as yet, received.
Many further attempts were made to
fnveigle them into negotiations with I'M
authorized persons. These negotiations
all had money for their basis. Among
others. Pinckney received a visit from a
lady wen acquainted with Talleyrand.
This lady referred to the fact that, in
case of a rupture ensuing between the
two countries, they could depend upon
quite a strong party, in America, that
was favorable to France. She also re-
months longer, they would not advance
a single step further in their negotiations
without a loan.
Another visit by x, Y. z is important
to note because it brought about another
visit of Gerry to T~alleyrand. During this
of Y, who had made certain propositions
which Talleyrand reduced to writing. He
showed the propositions to Gerry and
then burnt them. The substance was as
follows
France has been serviceable to the
s~eryiceable to France. Understanding
that the French Republic has sixteen mil
lions of Dutch descriptions to sell, the
United States will purchase them at par,
and will give her further assistance when
in their power. The first agreement be-
take means of reimbursing the equitable
demands of America arising from prizes,
and to give free navigation to their
ships in the future
Nov the ENJOYS sent a long memorial
to the French minister laying before
erations besides those previously submit
ted and bearing on the differences ex-