sent his respects to Mr. Gerry, and to inform him, that he will have the honour to wait on him to-morrow morning, at ten o'clock, to go together to the minister of foreign relations. He is with respect," &c. On the morning of the 17th, M. Y. came in while Mr. Gerry was at breakfast, not having received an answer to his note: and Mr. Marshall coming in, M. Y. took him aside, and conferred with him a considerable time; after which, the former, and the rest of the family, left the room: and M. Y. and Mr. Gerry being together, Mr. Gerry told him, that his object in seeing M. Talleyrand was to return a civility, by requesting him to fix a day for dining with Mr. G. who intended to invite his colleagues; by this interview to promote, if possible, a better understanding between the minister and the American envoys; and Mr. G. also proposed to confer with the minister on the disagreeable situation the envoys were in, and to state to him some reports which appeared to be founded, respecting a proposition before the directory for sending off all Americans in a short period: but Mr. Gerry added, that he could not hear a word on the subject of the mission, or the preliminaries to a negotiation, as the envoys had determined unanimously against any informal communications on the subject. M. Y. in answer said, that Mr. Marshall had just heard him on a subject of this kind; and that we might consider it, as he did, merely as a conversation between ourselves. He then stated that two measures, which M. Talleyrand proposed, being adopted, a restoration of friendship between the republicks would follow immediately; the one was a gratuity of fifty thousand pounds sterling; the other a purchase of thirty-two millions of the Dutch rescriptions: that as to the first, M. de Beaumarchais had recovered, in a cause depending in Virginia, between that state and himself, one hundred and forty-five thousand pounds sterling; that there was an appeal from the judgment; that he would sign an act to relinquish forty-five thousand pounds, if the whole should be finally recovered, leaving only one hundred thousand pounds for himself; that the forty-five thousand pounds might accrue to the United States, who would, in that case, lose but a small part of the fifty thousand pounds; that the purchase of sixteen millions of rescriptions would amount to but one million, three hundred and thirty-three thousand [pounds,] six shillings, and eight pence sterling, which, with an interest of five per cent. would be certainly paid by the government of Holland to the United States, and leave them without any loss; that more than half the sum may now be hired in Holland, on the credit of the'rescriptions, and an easy arrangement be made for payment, by short instalments, which might be obtained also by a loan; that it was worthy the attention of the envoys to consider, whether by so small a sacrifice they would establish a peace with France, or whether they would risk the consequences; that if nothing could be done by the envoys, arrangement would be made forthwith to ravage the coasts of the United States by frigates from St. Domingo; that small states which had offended France, were suffering by it; that Hamburgh, and other cities in that quarter, would, within a month or two, have their government changed; that Switzerland would undergo the same operation; and that Portugal would probably be in a worse predicament; that the expedition against England would be certainly pursued; and that the present period was the most favourable, if we wished to adopt any measure for a pacification.—Mr. Gerry, in answer, said, that if the French were disposed to pursue with vengeance the United States, they might perhaps ravage their coasts, and injure them in this way, but they never could subdue them: the measure he thought atterly impracticable, even if attempted by France and her allies. To which M. Y. assented. Mr. Gerry observed further, that the ravages alluded to would undoubt edly closely connect the United States and Great Britain, and prevent the former from returning to the friendship which they have ever had for France: that as to the propositions, he should express no opinion on them; that his situation, and that of his colleagues, was extremely difficult; that the directory were exclusively prejudiced against the government of the United States, and considered them as the friends of Great Britain; that if the envoys could have an opportunity of being heard, they could remove such impressions, and show that the government were the friends of France as much as of Great Britain; but that the envoys were now in the most painful situation; that they were treated, in the eyes of all Europe, and of the American government and nation, with the utmost con tempt; and were submitting to indignities which they could not reconcile to their feelings, or justify to their constituents. M. Y. said that the observations were just but that the American envoys had not experienced worse treatment than other ministers, nor indeed as bad; that the envoy of Portugal was again ordered to depart; and that but little ceremony was observed to the envoys in general. M. Y. and Mr. Gerry then took a ride to M. Talleyrand's bureau, who received them politely and after being seated, Mr. Gerry observed to M. Talleyrand, in English, slowly, that M. Y. had stated to him, that morning, some propositions as coming from M. Talleyrand, respecting which Mr. Gerry could give no opinion: that his object at this interview was, to request of him information whether he would fix a time for taking a dinner with Mr. Gerry, at which he proposed to invite his colleagues; that he wished for more frequent interviews of some kind or other between himself and the envoys; conceiving that many imaginary difficulties which obstructed the negotiation, would vanish by this means; and that those which were real, would be surmounted: that conceiving the delicate part which the minister of France had to act at this time, he did not wish M. Talleyrand to accept the invitation, if it would subject him to inconveniences: that he wished to speak on another subject; and it was painful to him to acknowledge, that the precarious situation of the envoys was such, as to render it impossible for them to take measures for decent arrangements; that a short time since, he had supposed measures were taking a favourable turn; but that lately he had received, from various quarters, information of a report made by the minister of the interior, and under the consideration of the directory, for sending all Americans from Paris in twenty-four hours; that he could not be responsible for the truth of the information, but it appeared to him, as well from the various quarters from which it came, as from the intelligence of the person who gave it, to be highly probable; that if this was the case, it was unnecessary for the directory, as he conceived, to pass any arrête, as it respected the envoys, for that they would depart from Paris whenever it was hinted as the wish of the directory; that for his own part, he should feel more at ease, until we were received, to reside in a city of some other nation than that of France; and to re turn to Paris on notice that the directory were disposed to open the negotiation. M. Talleyrand appeared to be very uneasy at this declaration; but avoided saying a word on it. He said that the information M. Y. had given me was just, and might always be relied on: but that he would reduce to writing his propositions; which he accordingly did; and after he had shown them to Mr. Gerry, he burnt the paper. The substance was as follows. [See No. 1. below.] He then said, that he accepted of the invitation; that he would dine with him the decade after the present, in which he was engaged. Mr. Gerry did not repeat all that he had said to M. Y. having no doubt he would communicate the whole to M. Talleyrand. And, after expressing a friendship for the French Republick, and a warm desire to renew the former attachments of the two republicks, which M. Talleyrand warmly reciprocated, Mr. Gerry bid M. Talleyrand adieu; leaving with him M. Y. No. 1. That the envoys should come forward generally, and say: "France has been serviceable to the United States, and now they wish to be serviceable to France: understanding that the French Republick has sixteen millions of Dutch rescriptions to sell, the United States will purchase them at par, and will give her further assistance when in their power. "The first arrangement being made, the French government will take measures for reimbursing the equitable demands of America arising from prizes, and to give free navigation to their ships in future." No. 5. [See Envoy's Letter, Jan. 8, 1798, page 451 of vol. 111.] MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO CONGRESS. MAY 4, 1798. I Now transmit to Congress copies of all the communications, from our envoys extraordinary, recieved since their arrival in Paris, excepting those before presented by me to both houses. No. 6. JOHN ADAMS. Paris, February 7, 1798. DEAR SIR, We transmit to you, in this enclosure, our last letter to the minister of foreign relations. Though dated the 17th ult. it was not, on account of the time taken to translate so long a letter, delivered till the 31st. In our communications here, although we have, agreeably to your instructions, written in our own language, we have at the same time taken the precaution, lest our meaning should be misrepresented or misunderstood, to accompany them with an accurate translation. We have not yet received any answer to this communication, and should no notice be taken of it in a few days, we shall apply in a more explicit manner for our passports. The councils have passed the decree mentioned in No. 5, as having been recommended by the directory, to capture and condemn all neutral vessels laden in part or in whole with the manufactures or productions of England or its possessions. We enclose you the official copy of the report on that subject, and shall represent to this government the injustice and injury which it must inevitably occasion us. We have the honour to be, &c. CHARLES C. PINCKNEY, E. GERRY. Colonel Pickering, Secretary of the United States. |