Gazette Of The United States & Evening Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA, JANUARY 4

Wednesday the 1st of January a committee of officers from the 2d regiment of Philadelphia Militia waited on Citizen Genet with the following ADDRESS.

To E. Charles Genet, Minister Plenipotentiary from the Republic of France to the United States.

Citizen Minister,

A deputation of officers from the first and 2d battalions of the 2d regiment of Philadelphia Militia, have the pleasure of waiting on you, in order to testify to you their satisfaction on the happy prospect of the establishment of a free Republic in France-as well as the high opinion they entertain of your civic and democratic virtues, and wish, Sir, that the present year may usher in victories to your republic, and terminate in your personal happiness.

For and in behalf of said Regiment,

JOHN BARKER,
Lt. Colonel.

When the Minister made the following reply:

Philadelphia, 2d January, 1794.
2d year of the French Republic.

Citizen Genet, Minister Plenipotentiary from the Republic of France to the United States,

To the deputation of the Officers of the 2d regiment of Philadelphia Militia.

CITIZENS,

At a time when the perfidious clamors of slander eagerly received by the enemies of equality are raised on all sides to impair the sentiments of benevolence which the American citizens bear towards the French Republic, and those who faithfully serve it, it is particularly grateful to me to see that impenetrable to the shafts of calumny and proof against the errors to which detraction may have given birth, you preserve the affectionate attachment for my country. which she has merited by the unshaken resolution with which she maintains the rights of man, and accelerates the decision of the grand question, whether liberty or despotism, democracy or aristocracy shall prevail. It is not solely in the midst of combat the French people have to contend with their enemies who rise up against them in every shape and in all parts of the world, but the zeal of their agents at home & abroad shall be as constant as the invincible courage of their soldiers, as long as they shall be supported & animated in their faithful career, by the esteem of free & virtuous men; this being our only ambition, citizens, you may easily conceive what heartfelt pleasure and satisfaction I have received from your repeated expressions of friendship and of the interest you take in my country's cause.

GENET.