CHAPTER XIV.

French Designs as affecting the U. S.-Public Temper in the U. S. improving in reference to these-Causes of the Mutiny in the British Fleets-Paid Agents of the U. S. cannot demand extra Compensation from Awards to Claimants-General Allen's Claim for the Restoration of Arms captured and detained in England—Kosciuszko thanks Mr. King for assisting him in obtaining a Passage to America.

DEAR SIR:

G. CABOT TO R. KING, LONDON.

BROOKLINE, May 9, 1797.

It is abundantly evident that the designs of France as disclosed to me by Mr. Liancourt * last summer were real, and if they do not already exceed them fully, it is only because their successes have fallen short of their calculation. I fear it will prove unfortunate for our country that their successes have been lately so great. The fall of Mantua and the appearance of pecuniary embarrassment in England have revived the spirit of Jacobinism, which had been declining very fast. Still however it may be relied on, that public opinion in relation to foreign politics & the affairs of France particularly, is infinitely more correct than it has ever been since the Devil was let loose. You will feel, as we all do, great anxiety for the measures which Congress shall adopt our friends have hope, & even expect that things will all go well, but you know I always expect the contrary, and if the power of faction is not sufficient to direct the movements of Government, I am persuaded they will obstruct them. Their schemes have so far developed themselves as to convince us that they will favor every kind of concession to France, and will endeavor to charge all our troubles, and even the disgraceful submission they would make

*See letter of Sept. 24, 1796.

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to France, to the British Treaty. Our best security against them, is that their projects are well understood by the Executive & will be resisted there. My own opinion is to avoid giving provocation to the pride of France and to hold ourselves ready to conciliate on any terms not dishonorable; but as they are encouraged to insult and injure us by a contempt of our power, I wou'd make a show of the Spirit and resolution of the country, that shou'd compel them to expect resistance, if they advance.

. After all

I think our tranquillity essentially depends upon events on your side the water & the fate of England especially. If Englishmen do not forfeit the just character of their ancestors, they will perish sooner than submit to France, & altho' it must be confessed they have immense difficulties to struggle with at home, yet if they feel the same inveteracy toward their rival, which this feels toward them, they will certainly conquer at last. England has the means to defend herself on the sea against the whole of Europe and I shou'd imagine with these means in possession, the nation will always reject the idea of submission under every vicissitude of its internal affairs. Our Expectants of Compensation for captur'd property begin to feel impatient at the delay which they can't easily be persuaded is unavoidable.

Your faithful and affect. friend

G. CABOT.

SIR:

N. WEBSTER, JR. TO R. KING, LONDON.

NEW YORK, May 30, 1797.

I take the liberty to enclose you my opinions on the relative interests of Great Britain & the United States.* If you agree with me in opinion, you will make what use you please of the Letter. The present moment is important, and tho' I reprobate a connection with any European power, which shall necessarily involve us in their broils, yet it is hardiy possible for a commercial nation not to be implicated more or less in the contentions of other powers. Prudence and safety seem to require that we should be on good terms with the greatest naval power in Europe, as I

* Paper alluded to published in New York, 1802; see Webster's Essays, dated June 1, 1797.

apprehend, in case of hostility, naval aid will nearly supersede the necessity of any other defense.

In the ideas I have suggested, a few friends to whom I have communicated them, most heartily concur. And as we are probably approaching a rupture with France, we are to calculate upon the event, & be prepared to meet it. If we can escape it, so much the better. I sincerely wish the British Ministry could be convinced of the utility of conciliating the attachment of the Americans & of the extreme folly of irritating them by taking little advantages at sea. This policy had nearly thrown us into the arms of France in 1793. You know with what firmness Govt resisted, and you was among the foremost in the ranks on that occasion. The French interest is yet considerable, but much weakened, since the seizure and confiscation of our vessels in the West Indies. The tide has turned and the current is setting strong agt, the French Govt. The northern States wish peace as much as ever, but the losses of property already sustained, & the insolent conduct of the French Govt. toward ours, has united them in the opinion that war is probable, and they are ready to meet it with firmness.

Never was there a more favorable moment for the British Govt. to remove the prejudice & regain the confidence of our citizens; & what extreme ill-policy in the Ministry not to embrace it. . . . With great respect your obedt. Servt. N. WEBSTER, JR.

JOHN JAY TO R. KING, LONDON.

NEW YORK, June 3, 1797.

DEAR SIR:

The newspapers contain the Debates and Proceedings in Congress. Public opinion respecting the true policy of this country is gradually becoming more and more correct. Injurious Treatment from foreign nations, whether followed by peace or war, will encrease our Wisdom. It seems Experience must generally be purchased, and sometimes at a high price.

I am happy to find that the Comrs. go on well, and that the british Govt. act candidly.

The late session of our Legislature was a temperate and in

several respects an useful one. the Federalists at the late election was such in this City and some other Places, that the present House of Assembly will be more chequered than the last.

The Security and Lassitude of

Yours sincerely

JOHN JAY.

A. HAMILTON TO R. KING, LONDON.

June 8, 1797.

I thank you, my Dear Sir, for your two letters lately received

from you. I feel very guilty for my negligence-but how can I help it?

The public prints will inform you of the course of public proceedings hitherto. You will perceive that the general plan is analogous to what was done in the case of Great Britain, though there are faults in the detail. Some people cannot learn that the only force which befits a government, is in the thought and action, not in the words, and many reverse this golden rule. I fear we shall do ourselves no honor in the result, and we shall remain at the mercy of events without those efficient preparations which are demanded by so precarious a situation, and which not provoking war, would put us in condition to meet it. All the consolation I can give is that the public temper of this country mends dayly & that there is no final danger of our submitting tamely to the yoke of France.

Yrs. affectly.

A. H.

DEAR SIR:

R. KING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

LONDON, June 5, 1797.

The Mutiny of the Navy is ascribed to the intrigues of Emissaries employed to mislead and corrupt the Seamen, and a Bill has been brought into Parliament for the Punishment of those who shall be detected. It is possible that the Seamen may have been tampered with, but practices of this sort could not well escape detection, and it is not easy to conceive that this general insubordination should have been produced in this manner.

There are other and more obvious causes to which it may be attributed. The Naval Force of the Enemy has been held in Contempt by the British Fleet. France has had neither Fleets nor Commerce against which the Navy of England could be employed. The men of war have therefore passed most of the time in Port; discipline has been neglected; the officers have lived on shore; and the Ships have been left under the command of young, inexperienced and very subordinate officers; besides the Times have been feverish and critical, and men of all, including the most subordinate, conditions have heard so much of the Equality and Rights of Man, that the dependencies of Society, instead of being acknowledged and submitted to by habit, have been questions for determination and proof.

This, in my belief, is nearer the true solution than that which is publickly professed.

The Situation of Ireland is still hazardous, and must necessarily be the subject of great inquietude. The Bank of England continues to make their operations solely with Paper, and it seems improbable that they will be able with safety to resume their ancient mode of payment before the return of Peace: an event that the present distresses of England may induce the French Government to postpone in hopes of a more ample gratification of their resentment and hatred against the only Nation which they own as a Rival.

The supposed accession of Moderation in the new third added to the election of Barthelemy, have however decided the British Government to make another effort to terminate the war, and a Message has been Sent to France to ask a Passport for a Minister to be sent from this Country direct to Paris.

With perfect Respect & Esteem

DEAR SIR:

RUFUS KING.

R. KING TO N. Low.

LONDON, June 6th, 1797.

It is not easy in a short letter to give you an adequate idea of the situation of this country. Ireland is in a very disturbed and critical condition, and government is there maintained