The Gazette

PORTLAND
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1798
Later than the Mail
Defensive War Inevitable

THE President has transmitted to Congress, in compliance with the request of the House of Representatives the instructions to and dispatches from the envoys extraordinary, to the French Republic.

Substance of their content
From Philadelphia-April 4.

"Our Commissioners, soon after their arrival at Paris, addressed a letter to the minister of foreign affairs, informing him of the object of their mission and requesting an opportunity of delivering their credentials and being presented to the Directory.
To this they had not received a letter when they last wrote, and they had no hope of receiving any.
In the course of their being at Paris (from September to 8th Jan.) no official notice had been taken of them, either by the directory or minister of foreign affairs; but that during that time they had several conferences with two persons, whose names our envoys promised to conceal, who said they were in the confidence of the latter, on the subject of their mission: it seems these persons did not act officially but were understood informally to speak the language of the minister.
They expressed the great irritation the Directory had against the United States, and particularly the speech of the President at the opening of last summer session, and that some disavowal must be made by way of atonement.
Upon our commissioners representing that by our constitution it was the duty of the President to inform Congress every thing that concerns the interests of our country, and therefore any disavowal of sentiments was not only improper but impossible, they gave to understand after some hesitation, that money, money would make atonement; that if they would stipulate to give 50,000 pounds sterling, by way of douceur to the minister, take of them thirty two millions florins of Dutch paper, which they said was then worth ten shillings in the pound, & give them par for it (and which might eventually be worth par) and loan them a further sum equal to the supposed value of their spoliations on our commerce, estimated at fifteen millions dollars (leaving our merchants their claims on France for eventual indemnification) that then the minister of foreign affairs would use his influence, which they said was great with the directory, to have them received, enter on the negotiation, and endeavor to have the depredations on our commerce cease.
They urged these propositions with vehemence, saying money was wanted for general purposes as well as to satisfy particular officers of government; that Merlin, one of the directory, had a sufficiency from his share of prize money, but others had not such a resource.
On our envoys observing, that they had no powers of that kind, and that as we had not offended, the proposition was unreasonable, their reply was, that MONEY was what they wanted, and that inasmuch as they had made peace with the emperor and brought other neighboring nations to their own terms, we ought to think ourselves well off with so slight a requisition, and warned us by the fate of Venice and what would soon be that of Switzerland.
On our envoys remarking that they came to appeal to the principles of justice to adjust our disputes, they replied with a poh! Don't you give money to the Indians and Dey of Algiers when you make peace with them; and that they had better engage for those terms now while they could for if they subdued England, as they expected to do soon, the terms would be harder.
Expected, the terms would be much more severe, and that unless we did they would ravage our commerce and coast with their cruisers. Our envoys replied to this, that such conduct would unite our people to repel such aggressions, and that being united, no nation on earth could subdue us. To this they said they were not afraid of our union, for they had so many friends in this country as would prevent it, and throw the blame on what we call federalists and what they call the British party, for it was well known the French were adepts at intrigue, &c. Mr. Gerry, in order to be satisfied that those two persons spoke the sentiments of the minister of foreign affairs, asked the minister Talleyrand the question, who replied, 'they did.'

N. B. The above is the substance of the communications as nearly as I can recollect. It needs no comment; the papers when published will evince abundantly what I have stated, with many aggravating circumstances.
Union of Parties.

Another communication of the same date says, 'you may rest assured the papers read in the house of representatives yesterday, will be productive of the most beneficial effects. I have it from the best authority, that there is now but ONE SENTIMENT in the house with regard to the views and conduct of the French; all concur that their views upon this country are of the most hostile nature; and that they are a set of unprincipled people, upon whom no dependence can be placed. We may now, however felicitate ourselves upon an UNION OF ALL PARTIES; for certain it is, that the dispatches lay open a scene of iniquity that the most prejudiced fools among us will not attempt to vindicate.'

APRIL 5.

'Some of the most uniform and ardent opposers of the President have assured me with their own lips, that they are perfectly satisfied with the sincerity and anxiety which he has discovered to preserve peace with the French republic, and that he could have done nothing more. This is a pretty candid confession from those who so lately have appeared so jealous of the executive, and who have professed a want of confidence in his measures. When these papers are published, the President will stand confessed, the friend of his country, & the great statesman; such as all impartial men, acquainted with his services and character, have pronounced him to be, these twenty years past.'

'Gallatin, Giles and Nicholas declare themselves satisfied with the conduct of our President, and the temper and spirit of the instructions.'

It is unnecessary to speak of the instructions given to our envoys. They are said to be on the most liberal basis, that could possibly be given, from an independent nation.

APRIL 6.

'After considerable discussion the Senate has voted, to make public all the communications lately received by Congress from the President relative to our dispute with France (except the instructions which were given by the executive to our envoys) by ordering 500 copies of the dispatches to be printed.'

'The house have agreed to 1200 copies.'

'Merlin, the French minister of marine, being peculiarly interested in all prizes carried into their ports, it is not likely they will diminish.'