Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Paris, received by the Constitution.

M. Barlow, I fear, is as far off as ever, from accomplishing the purposes of his mission. Through the same channel I mentioned to you, that I was enabled to learn something of what was transacting with our minister, have I learnt the following particulars of the negociation.

The emperor has availed himself of the subsequent countenance given by the American people, to the original misconception of our government, in proclaiming that the Berlin and Milan decrees were rescinded, to combat with, against Mr. Barlow's application for an act of repeal of them.

The Emperor, in a personal interview with Mr. Barlow, contended that the American people are satisfied with the conditional promise that he made to repeal, and with the friendly disposition he manifested by restoring in almost every case, property forfeited in France under his decrees, although the conditions upon which his promise was to be performed, were never complied with. He said that this relaxation of his decrees shall be extended to American property seized under them within the dominions of the allies of France also, whenever he shall be able to trust to the fidelity of the sovereigns of these dominions to exclude British manufactures and colonial produce; but that until he could thus confide, he must continue to neutralize the cupidity of those sovereigns, by opposing to it the rapacity of their subjects. That an act of repeal this time would be followed by the rescinding of the British, orders in council, to do which they have juggled for a pretext, and delay the conquest of the freedom of the seas, for which the American people are so willing and eager to unite with him in the War against England; and that the American administration should not lose their popularity for what they were doing.

Opposed to the claim preferred by our minister for indemnity on account of french spoliations, the French minister maintains that all confiscations in France of American property arriving colonial from french ports, are considered by his government upon the same footing with any other forfeitures for the violation of any municipal law ; and therefore that the Emperor will not consent to treat about any other American property, than such as has been burnt or seized at sea under his decrees.

An overture indeed has been made on the part of the French government, and which has been transmitted to Washington, to stipulate for the payment of those spoliations committed on the high seas, by instalments, and also to pass an edict of repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees as they respect the United States, in due form by the emperor, in the event of our going to war against England; or in nine months after our government shall permit by public law our vessels to arm for their defence.

In short, among all classes of Frenchmen, no idea seems to be entertained of any serious negociation going on with America. They talk of the one on the carpet, as retained merely by way of a standing dish; and that nothing will be yielded by the emperor, until we enter into actual hostilities against England.

Relative to the prospect of a war with Russia, I believe that the French government is sanguine, that the conscription, and other preparations in progress, will arrest it, before it breaks out. If they do not, they must fight, or Russia must retract her opposition to the experiment of the emperor king for the subjugation of England.

It goes hard with the inhabitants of that haughty little island. Their orders in council certainly do them more harm than good. A continuance of our non-importation law will, must, in the end, force the repeal of them, certainly in less time than we could do it by a war, could we be weak enough to anticipate such a result from such a step. I therefore do not despair that my country may yet escape the calamities which are desolating Europe.

If America by temporising, can ward them off, it will be the least evil that she will endure. She is, after all, greatly envied by those very nations, who are staggering under the weight of their honours, and bleeding in all their glory : and in proportion to their envy, no doubt, are the hopes and solicitude indulged that she may be circumvented, or cajoled into the war.

As to Spain and Portugal no particular information is permitted to transpire here, The prevailing impression is, that the war will be protracted in those countries, for the purpose of exhausting the wealth, and killing off the soldiery, of the British. There is a rumour to-day, that the government here is in possession of the fact that Mr. Russell has recommended strongly in his last dispatches to America, the policy of an embargo during the scarcity of provisions in Europe, and particularly in the Peninsular; and giving his authority for believing that Mr. Foster is instructed to avert such a measure if intended, by stipulating for the immediate removal of the orders in council.

I am therefore very sorry that Mr. Russell is removed. Mr. Barlow is certainly of a higher cast of character--But, in a storm, with an adverse wind, and breakers in every direction, you would certainly rather have Commodore Rogers, than our excellent Secretary of the Navy, at the helm.