The record-union., 1898-06-08

WASHINGTON, June I'm view OF
the growing belief that Spain is seek
ing to initiate a peace movement, the
precedents bearing on peace negotia-
tions are being looked into. They dis
close many interesting features in the
proceedings following wars in which the
United States has engaged. The peace
negotiations closing the revolutionary
war came about in romantic manner.
Franklin and Jay were living in Paris
at the time, having succeeded in en-
listing the active assistance of France.
Among Franklin's neighbors was a
Nine. Britton, with whom the famous
statesman-scientist formed fast
friendship. Nine. Britton spent the
summer at Nice, where she met several
English noblemen, among whom was
Lord Cholmondely. The latter on learn
ing that she was a friend Of Franklin,
asked for note of Introduction to him,
saying he would call and drink tea with
him at Passey. The letter was given,
and Franklin and Lord Cholmondely
were brought together on friendly
terms His lordship stated that he was
an intimate friend of Lord Shelburn,
who had just become the ruling figure
of the British Ministry, and it was sug-
gested that Franklin write letter to
Lord Shelburn, which Lord Cholmon-
dely undertook to deliver in person.
Acting upon the suggestion, Franklin
wrote brief letter expressing the wish
that a general peace" might be
brought about. But he was careful to
avoid betraying any anxiety or hope
that the peace would Immediately take
place. Franklin felt sure of his ground,
fV, f1,4 T,if fn6
States were much disturbed.
The letter was very welcome to Lord
Shelburn, as it arrived just after a SER
ious upheaval in the British Parlia-
ment The Ministry of Lord North,
which had conducted the war, narrowly
escaped a vote of censure, and it gave
place to a Ministry favorable to the rec
ognition of American independence.
Lord Shelburn had not wished to initi-
ate the movement, but Franklin's let
ter paved the way, and as a result,
formal negotiations were opened be-
tween Franklin and Lord Shelburn,
leading to the recognition of American
independence and the conclusion Of a
peace with the American colonies.
The peace negotiations after the war
Of 1872 were more formal in character.
After the war began President Madison
took the first step toward restoring
peace, and in message to Congress on
November 4, 1872. he said:
Anxious to abridge the evils from
which q state Of war cannot be exempt,
+ lost no time after It had been de-
clared in conveying to the British Gov
eminent terms on which it's progress
might be arrested
The terms proposed by Madison We're
that Great Britain vacate the orders
made in council on blockades and on
the impressment Of American seamen.
The movement came to naught.
The Emperor Of Russia took the next
step to restore peace He first made a
proposition to John Quincy Adams. our
Minister to st. Petersburg, suggesting
that ne would act as mediator. The
proposition was also made to the State
Department at Washington, through
the Russian Minister here. 1t was ac-
cepted by the United States, and
Messrs. Bayard, Gallatin and Adams
received instructions on April Is, 1873
to proceed to ST. Petersburg. Their in
structions began: t"Your first duty will
be to conclude a peace with Great Brit
ain The terms of peace were the
same as Madison had previously speci-
fed, but these were not indispensable
conditions.
Great Britain declined the overture,
however, and Lord Castlereagh wrote
to the State Department suggesting di-
rect negotiations. Accordingly Henry
Clay and Jonathan Russell were added
to the Peace Commission, receiving
new instructions January % 1914 Brit