The New Hampshire Gazette

TRANSLATIONS
From Paris Papers.
FROM THE CHRONICLE.

The French and American Flags united!

The Minister of the United States of America to the President of the National Convention.

"Paris, Sept. 2, second year of the Republic, one and indivisible.

"CITIZEN PRESIDENT,

"The Convention having decreed that the Flags of the French and American Republics should be united and fly together in the Hall of its sittings, in testimony of the union and friendship which ought eternally to subsist between the two people: I thought I could not do less to manifest the deep impression this decree hath made upon me, and the grateful sentiments of my constituents, than in executing their flag, to be offered, in their name, to the Representatives of the French people.

"I have had it made agreeable to the last form, decreed by Congress and have confided it to Citizen BARNEY, an officer of distinguished merit, who rendered great services upon the sea, during the course of our Revolution. He is charged to present it to you, and to deposit it in the place you may think proper to assign for it.

"Accept then, this Flag, Citizen President, as a new pledge of the sensibility with which the American people always receive any proofs of friendship, given them by their good and brave Allies, as well as of the pleasure and eagerness with which they cherish every circumstance tending to cement and consolidate the union and concord of the two Republics."

[Loud and repeated applauses]

(Signed)
JAMES MUNROE.

PRESENTATION of the AMERICAN FLAG.

Citizen BARNEY entered the Convention, bearing the American Flag: and amidst the reiterated plaudits of the Members, made the following short, but patriotic and comprehensive

ADDRESS.

CITIZEN PRESIDENT,

HAVING been charged by the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, to bring to the Convention, the Flag which had been requested of him—a flag under which I have had the honor of fighting our common enemy, during the war which hath secured our Liberty and Independence. I acquit myself of this honorable commission with the most lively satisfaction, and place it in your hands—Henceforth suspended on the side of the tri-coloured flag of the French Republic, it will become the symbol of the union which subsists between the two nations, and which will endure, I hope, as long as that Liberty which they have so bravely acquired, and so wisely secured.

Capt. BARNEY then advanced with the flag to the seat of the President, who gave him the fraternal embrace, amidst loud shouts of Vive la Republique!

Dr. FRANKLIN's OPINION.

Extract of a letter written by the late Dr. Franklin, when in France, to the late Dr. Mather, of Boston.

"This powerful monarchy (speaking of the French) continues its friendship for the United States. It is a friendship of the utmost importance to our security, and should be carefully cultivated. Britain has not yet well digested the loss of its dominion over us, and has still at times some flattering hopes of recovering it. Accidents may increase those hopes, and encourage dangerous attempts. A breach between us and France would infallibly bring the English again upon our backs; and yet we have some wild heads among our countrymen who are endeavouring to weaken that connection.

"Let us preserve our reputation by performing our engagements, our credit by fulfilling our contracts, and our friends, by gratitude and kindness; for we know not how soon we may again have occasion for all of them.

B. FRANKLIN.

"Paris, May 12, 1784."