Alexandria Gazette

INTERVIEW WITH THE KING OF FRANCE. The memorial of the General Peace Convention, held in London, addressed to the different governments of Christendom, respectfully requesting them to insert in their treaties a clause binding the contracting parties to submit their international disputes to arbitration instead of appealing to the sword, was entrusted to a deputation consisting of Messrs. Geo. C. Beckwith, Amasa Walker, Thomas Cock and J. K. Willis of the United States, and the Marquis de la Rochefoucauld Liancourt of Paris, to be presented to the King of France. A personal interview was obtained by the deputation with M. Guizot, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and through him an audience solicited with his Majesty, and the following account of the interview, which we have received from one of the gentlemen above named, may not be uninteresting to the public: …On the 19th of July a royal messenger arrived at our hotel in Rue Rivoli, bearing an invitation to meet his Majesty the succeeding day at half past twelve, at his Palace at Neuilly, and we accordingly went. As we entered the gate of the Palace, we met the carriage of M. Guizot, who was just leaving. At the gate were drawn up on one side a small troop of horse guards, and on the other a company of infantry. At the door of the palace we were received by an officer and escorted through the hall to the office of the King's secretary. Here we remained in waiting about half an hour, and then received a summons to meet his Majesty in his reception room. We found him standing; holding his military chapeau under his left arm, and his right hand resting in a velvet brace. He was dressed in blue, with a crimson sash and sword, two golden epaulets, a star and other insignia on his left breast. He received us with the greatest courtesy, and his bearing, although entirely dignified, was such as to remove all feelings of embarrassment in his presence. When one of the gentlemen was announced as from Ohio, he inquired 'from Cincinnati?' 'No, Sire, from the North part of the state, near Lake Erie,' was the reply. 'It is a long time since I visited that country;' said the King, 'it was in 1795-6. I then travelled from Pittsburgh to Erie and it is a fine country.' Mr. B. then introduced our business and presented the address. The King said he received it with great pleasure, that he had always done what he could to preserve the peace of the world, and that when a young man in America, if called upon to give a toast or sentiment, he always gave 'a general peace.' We assured him we fully appreciated the efforts he had made to preserve the peace of Europe. He said he had ever been pleased when arbitration had been resorted to, as in the case between the U. S. and Mexico, and between England and America. He said he confidently believed the time would come when such references would be general, and when war would be universally banished from among civilized nations. War was a great calamity, and thank God, he added very emphatically, it costs too much, and nations cannot afford to play at the game. Napoleon, he continued, began his great war with thirty-five millions in the treasury, but it only a drop of the ocean required to carry on his vast operations. He said that the sentiment, or rather the principle, that, in peace you must prepare for war, was one of difficulty and danger: for while we kept armies on hand to preserve peace, they are at the same time the incentives to, and instruments of war. He rejoiced in all efforts made to preserve peace, for that was what all need. Arbitration might not always be effectual in preserving peace in the present state of the world, for the bad passions of men may prevent, and war is often occasioned by such passions. One of the deputation remarked that his Majesty enjoyed the highest respect of the American people, and that perhaps he would not value it the less for coming from republicans. 'No,' said he. 'Your government works admirably for you but different countries require different forms of government—and one like yours would not be adapted to the condition of society here. It would not be strong enough.' He said he was always particularly happy to see Americans. He had lived long in their country, and had always been anxious to preserve the best understanding between the two countries. He wished again to be introduced to each of the deputation, 'so that he could recollect their names:' and as they were repeated to him, he addressed each individual separately. Resuming the conversation, he said he wished nothing more than universal peace—and although, said he, I am now accused of interfering in the affairs of Spain, nothing can be more untrue. So far from it, that I have strictly forbidden all intervention whatever, for I consider that it is nothing to France who is regent or ruler in Spain, or indeed in any foreign country; for I hold it as a principle that every nation has a right to manage its own internal affairs, in its own way, without any intermeddling from its neighbors. The King, in conclusion, wished us a very pleasant voyage home, and dismissed us with great politeness. We were happy to observe that he appeared in excellent health and buoyant spirits, and although now seventy years of age, did not look more than sixty. —Boston Mercantile Journal.