Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1921-11-18
ODD INCIDENTS IN AAIFRIcAN
HISTORY
VALUED ASSISTANCE OBJ BEAUMAR-


CHAIS
Among the most important of the early
friends of the Colonies was Baron de
Beaumarcnais, an exceptionally unique
and fantastic character of the last half
OF the eighteenth century. He was of
lOwly origin, by occupation a watchmal1-
er. and in early years showed q great
taste for music, and become one of the
first o7eratic composers and authors of
his day.
At the outbreak of the Revolution he
conceived the idea of becoming the Sc
Great agent of the French government in
furnishing material aid to the revolted
Colonies of the traditional enemy of
France. He made Journeys to London,
where ne met Arthur Lee, of Virginia,
q young barrister, who had succeeded
Franklin as agent of the Colony of Mas
sachusatts and had enlisted Lee in his
scheme.
Immediately after the arrival Of Silas
Deane in Paris, VINO was sent as the
first American diplomat TO that Court. he
! came into relations with Beaumarchais,
and the relief by way of the war materi-
| ais TO the American army was greatly &C
! celebrated. Through his assistance Deane
was able to obtain a large sum of money
and much munitioE.
I He was also active with his facile pen,
and enlisted Fergennes in his scheme, and
| French historians of the period give him
credit for finally winning the approval of
the king to the rebel cause and to the
plan which his fertile brain had devised.
! The king, having finally approved the
/ scheme, it was agreed with De Vergennes
that Beaumarchais should establish a
mercantile house under the fictitious name
of "Roderique Hotalez a Cie," which bus
mess it would be to SELF to the Colonies
the military supplies which France could
not without mourning the charge of viola
ton Of the rules of neUS,ality.
! During the existence OF this firm from
1770 to 1883, it is said that it's disburse-
nents amount to over 21,000, 600 livres
and considerable part of this amount
was used in the purchase and shipment Of
military stores for the American army
Beaumarchais, however, had much diff.
fEulty in obtaining a settlement of his
account from the Continental congress
mainly because of the uncertainty as t.
what portion of his capital was intend
ed as gratuity to the Americans. Beau
rnarchais sought in vain settlement III
to his death, in 1893.
During every administration and al
| ll4OGt every COISItSS LOT UldIly years I
claim was the subject of investigation
and discussion, in which figured promi
nently what was called the lost million
It was finally settled by the treaty G
1881, it being agreed that out of the SUI
paid by the United States under that con
vention 5000 francs should go to tn
, | heirs of the claimant.
a | Beaumarchais was a product of the DE-
culiar diplomacy of the period, whic
sought to accomplish its purpose throug
diplomacy and indirectIon. His fictitiou
: firm was such a thin disguise that it wa
soon penetrated by the active BIRTHS
ambassador, with the aid of his corps
| spies, but it answered the purpose of
: temporary expedient of the French go7
$ eminent until it suited the ends of thu
government to enter into an open allianC
with the Colonies. At this day the fam
e Of this fantastic parsonage is divided b.
5. tween his disguised services to the eau.
Y of American and his authorship of tho
e charming plays, Figaro" and The Ba
Der of Seville"
1t was Beaumarchais who carried Il
y news Of the surrender OF Burgoyne to Il
- French court. When news reached Par
that Burgoyne had surrendered Beauma
chais was one Of dinner party, and /
10 rushed off with such precipitation to co
vey the news to the Court at VersaiIl
that he upset his coach and dis1ooated h
N arm.
l. AS an example of some OF the ASST