Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-08-24

fiance was Charles c. Pinckney. and the
nation to which he addressed II was
our old ally and later foe, France. for
by 1897 relations between the two
countries were decidedly strained.
Since the close Of the Revolution the
young United States had made rapid
strides. National prosperity had set
in under Washlngton's eight year
presidency. a constitution had been
adopted. and relations were established
with foreign powers.
Washington's second term Of office
expired In March Of 1907. and John
Adams succeeded to the presidency.
Great Britain and France were at war
with each other. France. having aid.
ed us in the Revolution. doubtless ex-
pected certain aid and official sympa
thy in return. But Washington had
determined not to be embrOiled In any
foreign complications, so he held the
United States to course OF strict
neutrality. This caused hard feeling
throughout France. feeling which
eliminated just after Adams inaugu-
ration In 1907. France was ut that
time a republic. too. having cast aside
the ancient monarchy and being gov
erned by committee OF FIVE. known
as the directorate French warships
grossly insulted the United States flag
then, growing more insolent. captured
several OF our merchant ships and
tried TO ruin our commerce.
Adams sent Charles c. Pinckney to
France as ambassador The directo-
rate refused to receive him. The presi.
dent refused to regard this Insult as
cause for open war and. I'm the hope of
bringing about peaceful adjustment
Of the trouble. sent Chief Justice John
Marshall and Elbridge Gerry to join
Pinckney as Il commission accredited
to settle the misunderstanding. The
directorate Instead Of meeting the dele.
CATION halfway snubbed It severel,
An emissary OF the French govern.
ment waited on the three Americans
however. and after pointing out
Frances grievances against the United
States limited that n bride Of $40 600
In the way Of unofficial tribute. might
possibly soften the hearts Of the direct.
crate toward our country. This was
rank graft and blackmail. and so Pinck'
ney regarded 1t. for he replied Ia the
offer:
WAR be II then. Millions for de-
Tense. but not one cent for tribute.'
The DELEGATES then notified Adams
that their mission to France was un-
successful and urged him to make
ready for war The United States was
ablaze with wrath. Preparations for
the coming struggle were everywhere
made. The navy department was es-
tablishcd naval matters having hith-
erto been under control Of the secre-
tary Of war;. coast defenses were
strengthened. and congress on July IA.
1I9S, for the purpose Of raising nm
armament. decreed the first direct ma
tional tax ever levied on the people OF
this country. The president had the
famous allen and seditiOn acts passed.
authorizing him to Danish. practically
Mt will. any Of the 10000 Frenchmen
then living here and to suppress any
papers that spoke III Of the adminisira-
tion. 4 provisional army was enlisted
and Washington was called from his
pcaceful retirement to assume the po-
sition Of commander I'm chief. Then
In July. 1898. the first blow was
struck.
Stephen Decatur with the war sloop
Della ware captured twenty-nine gun
French privatcer. She was nptly re-
christened the Retaliation and added
to our infant navy. Then. In Februa-
nv. 1880. after several minor actions.
came the most RS