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Letter to Editor
August 28, 1798
Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Extract of a 1798 letter from Europe warns of French schemes to divide the US via negotiations with Mr. Gerry, urges decisive action and arming against French tyranny to preserve independence. Includes Talleyrand's mocking quote on US debates and slow frigate construction. Notes President's good health.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
BOSTON, August 12.
May 12, 1798.
Extract of a letter from a well informed gentleman on the other side of the Atlantic, to a confidential friend here.
"Great pains are used to induce Mr. GERRY to be publicly received in order that while he is mocked with an insidious appearance of negotiation, those fatal divisions in his country may be kept up, which threaten its final destruction. These things are now perfectly understood, but altho' they need no explanation, they demand decision and vigor, if the independence of the United States is to be preserved. It is idle to wait for unanimity which can never come; yet, while you wait, ruin may overtake you.-- Moderation and forbearance have been tried, till they have become dangerous; they are viewed as the marks of national weakness, and invite the attack of your destroyers, half way men, and half way measures must be all discarded.
"The people of the United States have boasted of their love of liberty and their country; if they feel these sentiments as they ought, they will escape the yoke which France has prepared for them; I doubt whether in Europe, a nation can be found, which, after the warning they have had in the sufferings of others, would not now resist the tyranny of France if they were as distant from her power as the United States. But will your government be faithful to its high obligations, and act upon this trying occasion with a suitable energy? We look anxiously for the answer to this interesting question, for it is certain, if the government temporizes, if it is weak and timid in its spirit in idle discussions, or in a word, mild, if it stoops to its oppressors, if it stops short of the only true measure all will be lost. The Directory expect nothing but indecision, and they want only a little more time to fill the new world with those horrors and crimes which cover the old.
Talleyrand says, "there is nothing to be feared from a nation like the United States, whose Representatives spend their time in debates, or who have been FOUR years building THREE Frigates."
This observation of Talleyrand, was made upon its being intimated to him lately that the Dispatches had excited the spirit of the people of the United States and that probably they would arm for defence.
The President of the United States, yesterday attended a stated meeting of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Cambridge.
We are happy to add that he appeared to be in good health.
May 12, 1798.
Extract of a letter from a well informed gentleman on the other side of the Atlantic, to a confidential friend here.
"Great pains are used to induce Mr. GERRY to be publicly received in order that while he is mocked with an insidious appearance of negotiation, those fatal divisions in his country may be kept up, which threaten its final destruction. These things are now perfectly understood, but altho' they need no explanation, they demand decision and vigor, if the independence of the United States is to be preserved. It is idle to wait for unanimity which can never come; yet, while you wait, ruin may overtake you.-- Moderation and forbearance have been tried, till they have become dangerous; they are viewed as the marks of national weakness, and invite the attack of your destroyers, half way men, and half way measures must be all discarded.
"The people of the United States have boasted of their love of liberty and their country; if they feel these sentiments as they ought, they will escape the yoke which France has prepared for them; I doubt whether in Europe, a nation can be found, which, after the warning they have had in the sufferings of others, would not now resist the tyranny of France if they were as distant from her power as the United States. But will your government be faithful to its high obligations, and act upon this trying occasion with a suitable energy? We look anxiously for the answer to this interesting question, for it is certain, if the government temporizes, if it is weak and timid in its spirit in idle discussions, or in a word, mild, if it stoops to its oppressors, if it stops short of the only true measure all will be lost. The Directory expect nothing but indecision, and they want only a little more time to fill the new world with those horrors and crimes which cover the old.
Talleyrand says, "there is nothing to be feared from a nation like the United States, whose Representatives spend their time in debates, or who have been FOUR years building THREE Frigates."
This observation of Talleyrand, was made upon its being intimated to him lately that the Dispatches had excited the spirit of the people of the United States and that probably they would arm for defence.
The President of the United States, yesterday attended a stated meeting of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Cambridge.
We are happy to add that he appeared to be in good health.
What sub-type of article is it?
Political
Persuasive
Provocative
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Military War
What keywords are associated?
French Tyranny
Us Independence
Gerry Negotiation
Talleyrand Quote
American Defense
Political Division
Moderation Dangers
What entities or persons were involved?
Confidential Friend Here
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Confidential Friend Here
Main Argument
the us must act with decision and vigor against french threats, discarding moderation and half-measures to preserve independence, as france exploits divisions and expects indecision.
Notable Details
Talleyrand's Quote Mocking Us Debates And Slow Frigate Building
Efforts To Induce Mr. Gerry Into Public Reception For Insidious Negotiation
President Attended American Academy Of Arts And Sciences Meeting In Good Health