The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-06-16
"lF WE DO NOT HAVE MONEY AND
SOLDIERS FROM FRANCE, OUR
CAUSE is LoST"-WASHIN
(Wrlttcn for The Catholic Bulletin by
William L. J. Griffin, D. D. ST.

In previous article we showed that
The passage of the Quebec Act was the
prime motive in starting the Revolu
tionary War. The Colonists believed
that the Quebec Act established the
Catholic religion in Canada, and tc
prevent it's spreading to the Colonies
they took down their arms, not at first
to defend their homes, but to rush to
Canada to capture that country in alli-
ance if not in union. This was the
spirit of the early days of the Revolu-
tion and the actuating motive which
largely filled the army The Revolu-
tion went on moved by the anti-Cath-
pliC spirit until the French Alliance.
The American cause at this time was
almost lost, outside aid had to be
sought, so that an alliance with a
Catholic country was not to be de-
spised.
The Colonists continued their hatred
to the Catholic Church, though with
lessened rancor. AS time went on the
aspects of revolt changed The early
fever of patriotism and enthusiasm of
aroused spirits gradually diminished
as the difficulties of the situation grew
embarrassing. They were seeking an
alliance with France as their main, if
not their only hope of success. France
ever had meant "Popery" to the Col
onists. Only few years before they
rushed to Canada, and had taken that
country from France in spirit of re-
ligious rancor. They rejoiced not only
at subjugation of the country, but of
their mastery Of a Catholic people
steeped in Ignorance and supersti-
ton. In a few years the conquerors
the Protestant Colonies were
seeklr G the help of the subjugated-
the conquered "Papists" of Canada.
Congress, that had declared the
''Popish religion" to be one fraught
with impiety, hatred and aurGer in
every part of the world, was soften
ing, was quieting, was subdued, they
altered their tone in public by declar-
ing that difference in religion should
make no difference between those
seeking liberty" The Colonists, too,
were eager for help from a Nation in
which the Roman Catholic religion
was professed," so an alliance with
France was sought and obtained.
Rev. Jacob Duehe, known under his
pen name as "Papinian,' offered pray
er for the First Continental Congress
of 1774. He then deserted the cause
and went over to the British ale
glance. When Washington was at
Valley Forge, Duehe wrote to him to
give up the rebel cause. In the
Royal Gazette of New York, July II,
1779, he wrote: ITO speak against
popery, which is the religion of
France, would draw as severe perse-
cution from many of the most Jealous
abettors of Congress, as to speak
against the Congress itself. They will
not permit word to be said to the
disadvantage of Popery. In very many
of the districts of the continent, and
in several of New England-where
Popery was formerly detested, and
scarcely a Papist was to be seen, a
number of Popish books are now dis
persed and read with avidity. | could
name a member of the rebel council
in one of the New England Colonies
who was formerly considered as 9
jealous Protestant disSenter, who not
long since harangued a large assembly
of the people. on some of the disputed
points between Protestants and Pap
lists; such as the invocation Of Saints
purgatory, transubstantiation, etc.
and he declared he saw nothing amiss
or erroneous in them,' and his. audi
ence seemed wonderfully pleased ant
edited. | could name another Prot
estant dissenter whose antipathy tt
Popery seemed formerly to border OF
enthusiasm, yet who lately declared
his wish to see a Popish priest settled
in every country throughout America.
The Colonists, anxious to secure out
side aid, were not unwilling to accep
it from a Catholic country. The frs
attempt to secure the assistance o
France, strange as it may seem, wa
through a French priest, the Able Des
movers. Franklin had been in CORE
spondence with Chas. w. F. Dumas,
native of Switzerland, in reference t
the French assistance. Dumas Gale
upon Able Desnoyers to propose, o
behalf of the Colonists, closer connet
tion between the two powers. Franc
might become the mediator of tn
quarrel or open her ports to the Go
onies and be received in theirs. TIL
Able Desnoyers submitted the matte
to the French Court, stating that tn
American agent was ready to confe
with the French authorities.
Plan is Discovered.
Sir James Young, English Ambass'
dor to the Hague in April, 1776, r.
.norted to Lord Suffolk that a letter {
the Abbe Desnoyers, the Frenc
charge d'affaires at the Hague, direc
ed to the Count de Vergennes, tf
French Minister of Foreign Affair
had been intercepted. The letter r
vealed Franklin was in correspon
onee with Dumas. In May, Sir jaime
York sent to Lord SUFFOLK an extra
Of another letter to Count de Verge