The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-08-18
WAR WITH FRANCE.
our GREAT NAVAL ENCOUNTERS
WITH THE FRENCH.

Xhe united states Fitted Out Privateers
and Authorized American Officers 20
Capture French Cruisers Wherever
: Found.
n was Lord Wolseley who said re-
esntly that the United States being un-
prepared for war might be congratu-
lated upon not having tackled any first
class European power. There are so
many people in this country Of the
same opinion as the Commander-in-
Chief OF the British Army, that 1t
seems worth while to show that our
prowess as naval power does not
rest exclusively upon our having whip
ped the decayed monarchy Of Spain.
We whipped Great Britain much
against our will in the war Of 1872; but
do those faint-hearted few whose
hearts sink into their boots at the name
of war, not know that we crushed
France also in 1883? England and
France were and still are each first
class European powers. And as there
ts now as there was also century ago,
some prospects Of trouble with France,
the results of the Naval war and the
circumstances which led up to 1t are Of
timely interest, particularly as they re-
call phase of American history utter
y unconsidered in its bearing upon
present events.
The cause OF the trouble with
France arose out of the inability OF the
hot-head members of the French Di-
rectory to appreciate such constitu-
tfonai revolutionist az John Adams.
who was not without some leanings in
the direction of monarchy. Adams.
accordingly hated the authors Of the
French revolution. and all its sympa-
thtzers, including Jefferson. had little
love for the views of John Adams, who
held "1evees" once a week in the White
House and advocated the use of plush
breeches and of curled hair and similar
frivolities In the attendants on the Ex-
acutive. Though treated with studied
insolence himself by the English court
circle while he vas Minister to Eng
land. Adams was unnecessarily anx-
ious to see friendship restored between
the United States and England. Though
England would yield nothing to
obtain it Adams still INDUCED the fool
ish hope that England would accept the
aftuation of the loss Of her colonies;
and SO If Englar' condoned a success
full rebellion Adams was anxious 10
have this country forget the years Of
oppression and ali the bitter past AS
friends ard aines commercially at least
he thought the two nations might go
on in peace; and as he says in his diary
together they might gather and divide
the world" IL short there was a situ-
alton and reciprocity Of feeling one
hundred years ago in certain Anglican
quarters very similar to the present,
and which went even to the extent OF
having faction in this country desir-
ous of precipitating a war with France
This faction was successful in securing
the ratification Of the Jay treaty
through Alexander Hamilton and two
"Anglicists," Secretaries John Picker
ing and Oliver Wolcott. Upon the rati-
fication of this treaty the French direc-
tory were so angry after the assistance
that Lafayette had given the colonists
in securing their liberty, that they I'M
mediately recalled their minister and
sent home ours.
French cruisers therefore attacked
our merchant vessels. This country
was then too weak for naval war and
Adams sent ENJOYS to the irate mem
hers of the Directory to set matters
right. There was much Ill feeling en-
towards Adams personally by
the leading members of the Directory,
who were furious that Jefferson was
not elected president, and a demand
was made upon Adams ENJOYS for
sum of money to enable France to car
ry on her wars and also propitiate the
directory 1t was then that arose the
famous cry of def1ance-"Millions for
defence but not one cent for tribute"
the Justification for which was the un.
usual demand of France which it is
believed, however, now was most de-
liberately colored by the Anti-French
and Pro-Anglican faction who hated
equally the two Republics and were
anxious to antagonize them In order
to restore English supremacy in Amer
lea.
Congress thus aroused by the one
sided report of the Adams envoys Or
ganized an army. Soon also a state of
war existed on the sea, where Commo-
lore Truxton defeated and captured
Two French frigates. These two splen-
lid victories however sobered the bel
Iigerent members Of the Directory and
they constituted such interesting naval
engagements that European first class
powers might study them with advan-
tage now. War 1t is true was not for
mally declared, but the depredations
stirred up the patriotic feelings of the
American people who were thus pro-
Ioundly convinced that Europe whether
royalists or republican, was equally
quite unable TO appreciate or to under
stand them. The United States fitted