Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22
Humorous Diplomacy
Of Congressional Annals

~ ARLY congressional annals furnish
n much romance. In Madison's time
- the records for ISL II disclose a
diplomatic episode not without humor.
Federalists of New England 100 years ago
were so dissatisfied with Ito republican
administration of President Jefferson and
Secretary Madison and published such Sc
ditious articles in their newspapers and
distributed such reasonable pamphlets,
that the governor general of Canada, Sir
James Craig thought there might be
something doing for an agent of the
British government in Boston. His sec
rotary suggested the services of friend
Of his who was about to make visit to
that city in the interest of his private af-
fairs. He had been resident of Boston
and had the pleasure of an acquaintance
with Thomas Pickering and other politi-
cal leaders So it came about that Mr..
John Henry was duly instructed to spy
out the situation in New England, report
frequently to his friend the secretary and
drop few hints to the disaffected parties
on the advantages of union with Canaua
and of securing the good Will of the Brit
ish government. Mr.. Henry, sleek, in
sinuating sort of person, with social po-
SlllOH, WAS well EtCclNeu III DOSlOn oO-
ciety.
He complained bitterly of his losses Dy
the policy of the administration at Wash
ington and secured the sympathies of his
new friends. He soon had opportunities to
learn the secrets of the federalists, which
he promptly reported to the secretary
at Montreal, who in turn laid his commu-
nications before the governor to be trans
mitted to the foreign office in London.
Henry often suggested to the merchants
l.
would secede from the Union of states of
course the threatened war, which was
very unpopular among the people of Eng
land generally, would be averted. His
business ended he returned to Montreal in
the spring.
In February, 1909, John Quincy Adams
informed the President that the embargo
could no longer be enforced in New Eng
land, that the federalist leaders had
made all arrangements to break off from
federal relations with the rest of the
Union unless the act was repealed, and
that an agent from the Canadas was then
in New England to offer the assistance of
the English government to the scheme.
In March James Madison became Presi-
dent, calling an extra session of Congress
to consider the ''non-intercourse act"
which had superseded the embargo" re-
pCdlco ny IIcSlutnl
Sir James Craig had so high apprecia-
ton of Mr.. Henry's work that he invited
him to visit Boston again the succeeding
winter on the same mission. He was to
study the state of public opinion on poll
tics and on the prospect of war, find out
the true strength of the two great parties
and which was likely to prevail. The mis-
sion was accepted and the gentleman went
to Boston the second time. He did not ac-
complish very much. as after the repeal
of the embargo act nobody would talk
of dissolving the Union. and he was pres
emily recalled.
Henry had been very industrious and
put a much higher price upon his reports
than the thrifty governor was willing to
pay-so he went to London and demanded
of the foreign office something like $780,
600 for his reports and for holding his
tongue: his demand was ridiculed and he
was recomme nded to return to the gov
ernor for his reward. Accordingly he re-
turned again to Canada in an unenviable
frame of mind.
A fellow passenger in the ship was
Count Edward de Crillon. a tall slight
Frenchman with all the insinuating graces
of his nation. He had by an indiscre ton
incurred the displeasure of his emperor
and had quilted France for time, hoping
to be recalled at no distant day to serve
again in the army. He wore the decora-
ton of the Legion of Honor he carried
the nobility. he talked much of his estate
near the Spanish frontier. joining the
Chateau de Crillon. built long, long ago
by his ancestors. This acquaintance
formed in the drawing rooms of London
ripened during the many days of the long
see voyage into a confidential friendship,
each contiding to the other his troubles.
He of the Latin race was profuse in his
expressions of sympathy for the more
phlegmatic Briton-urged him to done
with such an migrate government why
not sell his information to the United
States? In fact. so impressed was he
with the injustice done loyal subject
that he proffered to go to Washington
himself and use his influence with the
French minister there. an old-time init
the Secretary of State. with whom he
would negotiate the sale of the papers.
y X
Before landing at Boston the Frenchman
and the Englishman were as brothers.
De Crillon had contracted to convey to
Henry his valuable estate in sunny Gas
cony, where the surroundings would be
most congenial to a man of his refined
tastes, for whatever sum he might be able
to secure for him from the United States.
Henry remained at Boston among the old
time unsuspicious acquaintances the count
came to Washington, made himself known
to the French minister, Serurier, who,
pleased with the polish of his address,
sent him to Secretary Monroe, to whom
he offered Henry's papers for $125.O0O.
Secretary Monroe introduced him to the
President, who. charmed, invited him to
meet Mrs. Madison; presently he was be-
ing entertained by all the notables in
Washington and Georgetown, by the men,
bers of the cabinet. by the Spanish and
French ministers-only the British min
ister then living near Washington Cir
Gle. whence ihe could look over the fields
to Georgetown" held aloof. De Crillon's
cravats were the despair of the dandies,
his trousers tightly strapped over the in
step. the envy of the well-dressed man
about town. his curling locks the admira-
ton of the ladies. He was the sensation of
the season of 1S11-1S12.
The negotiation for the discriminating pa
pers was most successfully managed Mr..
Henry when summoned came to Washing
ton incognito and consented to take the
$4,000 offered by Secretary Monroe with
the promise that they should not be made
public until he should be safely at sea on
his way to his new home in southern
France. to which he received the title