The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-08-20
FRANCE AND AMERICA.
The Mission of benjamin Franklin
That Resulted i'm an Alliance Be-
tween the Countries.


The court of France, while friendly
and willing to aid us as it could, was
not as yet ready to acknowledge our
independence, and by so doing to pro-
woke conflict with Great Britain. The
war, thus far, had gone against us;
news of the one bright ray in the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS victory at Tren-
ton-had taken five months to reach
France, so difficult was it to escape
from the British cruisers watching our
coasts.
Some muskets and private loan of
100000 were secured, and single vol
unteers were plenty. To fight for
America became with the young
French mobiles what nowadays we
should call "fat." Franklin was be-
sieged by requests to be officers in our
army, or for letters of recommends
ton to congress, and he was at his
wits end to refuse with kindness, so
that he should not make promises of
rank that he could not fulfill.
In contrast to many of these re-
quests at this time stands Lafayette's
generous offer of money, arms, and
his life if need be, without promise of
rank or reward; but the French gov
eminent still withheld it's aid, waiting
for some decided victory to prove to
the nations of Europe that the united
an1nnsac ctr Io, - MI ~
their liberty.
During this winter of darkness for
freedoms cause, Franklin must play
his part in the gay world of Paris. To
make friends for our country was his
constant aim; her enemies he defied,
and everywhere he expressed his GER
tainty of the final triumph of America
in the struggle.
We have all heard of the phrase:
"These are the times that try mems
souls" These words were used at just
| this time by Thomas Paine, who wrote
a series of articles on the American
war. For, while it was dark indeed on
| our side of the ocean, it seemed also as
| if no nation abroad would help us.
| Franklin sent his associates, Lee and
! Deane, to the courts of Spain and Prus-
STA for aid, but neither was disposed to
take the first step.
| Diplomacy among nations is often
q tedious and selfish proceeding
| Meanwhile the doctor did what he
could toward arming ships and max.
ing easier the lot of prisoners of wal
abroad. AS to the ships, he was some.
what successful, and was graitified by
his success; for nc was eager to give
England some of the treatment the
colonies had received from her men-of
war.
| All of these matters kept the envoy
very busy-so much so, that his grand
son Temple was obliged to act as his
secretary, and the idea of his going tt
a university was given up. At last
came the sunshine through the clouds
for the Wise Providence that guide!
the affairs of nations as well as of mel
brought about the surrender of Bur
goyne and his army in October, 1777
after the battle OF Saratoga.
The news was dispatched with al
haste to our representatives abroad
Massachusetts, sent the glad tidings by
special messenger, young Mr.. Austin
Before his departure, prayer was of
fered from the pulpit of church il
Boston-the minister, it is said, bein!
so absorbed in praying especially tina
the dispatches might be delivered tina
he made no mention of the messenger
In little over a month, however
both messenger and packet arrived il
Paris, and sthe scene when he drov
into the courtyard of the Hotel Valen
tinois was memorable one.
Our representative had receive,
word of his landing, but knew nothin:
of the nature OF his news. AS tn
chaise dashed up to the group aroun,
the door, and the messenger alighted
!, DR.. Franklin grasped his hand, ex
} claiming:
"Sir, is Philadelphia taken?"
/ "Yes, sir" was Austin's reply.
; Then the old statesman wrung hi
hands in disappointment and had be
, gun to return in sadness to the hous
, when the messenger cried:
"But, sir, have greater news tina
: that! Gen. Burgoyne and his Who'll
, army are prisoners of war;"
Temple carried the news to tn
French prime minister, Comte de Vel
} gennes and few days later priyat
interview took place at Versailles.
About a year from the landing O
, Franklin on the coast of France, hi
errand to that nation was accom-
] plished. She became the ally of tn
/. American colonies, and thus was tn
7 first to welcome the United States int
e the circle of nations.-H. A. Ogden, i
l ST. Nicholas.
The In and Out of Hawaii.
InHaWaii they have one very uniou