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CHAPTER XV.

Mr. Pickering's Account of Spanish Duplicity about southern Boundaries— Apprehends France means to regain Louisiana-Arrest of Major McLane and others for alleged treasonable Practices against Canada-Sedgwick on Relations with France-Gerry's Appointment as Commissioner to France -Washington on the Political Situation in U. S.-R. King to Hamilton on French Affairs-Impeachment of Gov. Blount-Mr. Liston's LetterBingham's Letter about Stewart's Portrait of Washington to Marquis of Lansdown-And about Gov. Blount-R. King to Wm. Hindman.

"DEAR SIR:

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T. PICKERING TO R. KING.

"DEPARTMENT OF STATE, June 20, 1797.

The President sincerely desirous of adjusting by negotiation all our differences with France, declared his determination to pursue that course; but the issue being uncertain strongly recommended preparatory measures of defence. In the Senate these assumed a form; but the House of Representatives have but partially concurred. The session however continues, and as the aggressions on the part of France are multiplying daily, and Spain by her agents in Louisiana, has discovered an inclination to postpone and apparently to evade the execution of her Treaty with us, at least respecting the Boundary Line, and the withdrawing of her Troops from our Territory-perhaps the preparatory measures may at last be adopted.

"The correspondence between Mr. Ellicott, the American Commissioner and the Spanish Governors, the Baron de Carondelet and Gayoso, on the subject above mentioned, you will find in the Packet which accompanies this letter. The miserable pretexts, evasions and prevarications of Governor Gayoso are astonishing. We should expect from any man claiming any degree of consideration, and especially from an officer of rank, even if deficient in moral principle, that for the sake of his reputation in the world, he would have some regard to consistency and truth.

But the Baron de Carondelet is still more eminent in rank; he is the Governor General of Louisiana, and has, the Spanish Minister here informed me, been appointed lately to the Government of Quito in South America. Yet the Baron has written to the Minister on the subject of the Boundary and the Spanish Ports, and the Minister literally translating it, as he said, read me the Baron's Letter in which he makes some complaints against Mr. Ellicott, frivolous indeed, and one palpably false. He complained that Mr. Ellicott had not informed him of his arrival at the Natchez as the Commissioner of the U. States for running the Boundary line! I showed the chevalier d'Yrujo the Letter of Mr. Ellicott dated the 27th February to the Baron, three days after his arrival at the Natchez, and doubtless by the first conveyance to New Orleans, informing him of his arrival in the character of American Commissioner, and the Baron's answer of the 1st of March, congratulating Mr. Ellicott on his arrival. The Chevalier was confounded, but said he supposed the Baron did not consider Mr. Ellicott's Letter as official!

"The Windsor (Vermont) Paper of June 9th informs that a Major McLane from Rhode Island and his brother and Thomas Butterfield of Vermont, have lately been apprehended at Quebec 'upon something more than a suspicion of treasonable practices against the Government of that province.' That Major McLane had a commission from the French Republic, was under pay, and for about two years had been faithfully employed whispering sedition in the ears of the French Canadians; and that upon examination this appeared to be a branch of an extensive plan of operations settled in the French Cabinet; that upon the arrival of a Fleet in the St Lawrence the magazines were to be blown upthe French inhabitants were to rise in a mass and exterminate the English. It is added that several characters in Vermont are implicated in the business, and the whole (says the Editor) 'We learn by undoubted authority.' Probably Mr. Liston may have received official intelligence of this affair. The discovery corresponds with prior facts and circumstances indicating the designs of France to repossess Canada by a force from Europe, an insurrection of the Canadians and aid from numerous adherents in the United States. In the expectations from the letter, I have no doubt France would find herself essentially disappointed.

Whatever might have been done three years ago when we were suffering under British spoliations and saw threatening appearances of hostility from that power, France can form no reasonable hopes of assistance in the U. S. except from a few corrupt men, a few desperate adventurers, and a few, who apparently would be willing to sacrifice even their own country to their malignant passions. The Vermont Gentlemen in the Senate, who you know are persons of information and stability, assure me that the Inhabitants of their State are perfectly well disposed towards their neighbours in Canada and the British Government there established.

"We are not without apprehensions that France means to regain Louisiana, and to renew the ancient plan of her Monarch, of circumscribing and encircling what now constitutes the Atlantic States. To the execution of such a plan, so dangerous to our union and peace, every real American must be firmly opposed."

MY DEAR SIR:

T. SEDGWICK TO R. KING.

PHILADELPHIA, 24 June, 1797.

The Convention of the Legislature was generally, I believe universally, approved by the friends of government and declaredly by all the Jacobins. The former, at the commencement of the session, warmly approved the sentiments expressed in the Prest's speech. War must, if possible, be avoided; a redress of our injuries must be obtained. For these purposes, a new attempt must be made to negotiate, & to render its success probable, manly preparations must be made. This was the language held by all our friends, and altho' the reasons for such a system of measures have been strengthened and increased by events, which, since that time, have been disclosed, and altho' men of good disposition, are in fact a majority, yet all things dictated by our situation have been left undone.

To account for these apparent contradictions, I am sorry to state a fact, which to my mind is the principal & perhaps the only operative cause, a dread of the power & vengeance of the terrible Republic. Some almost explicitly declare it: they talk of our divided councils,—that France elated with victory will be irri

tated by any attempt to coerce that resistance in Europe is at an end, and that in the event of peace now certain, she can have no motive to quarrel with us, but on the other hand will hope to participate in our commerce, as the means of reviving her own, -that therefore she will be disposed to conciliate &c. &c. Concomitantly with arguments of this nature, the authors of them dwell on the necessity of avoiding expence, and indeed to justify themselves declare that any incurred at present for defence or protection would be a waste of money. The session is now drawing to a close and we shall separate after having given to the world the most conclusive evidence that the contempt in which France holds our power of resistance, which is her motive for aggression, is a sentiment well founded.

Our friend Gerry is the third of our joint and several ministers to France. No appointment could, in my opinion, have been more injudicious. In justice to the President's council, I ought to tell you, that the nomination was not the result of their approbation, and in justice to myself, I declare that it received my negative. However painful, for reasons which will be obvious to you, it was to withhold my consent, I could not reconcile to myself to approve an appointment so highly improper. Messrs. Read, Marshall, Ross, Tracy & Goodhue also voted against it.

I have frequently seen the british commissioners; and am much pleased with them, particularly Mr. McDonald. I believe they have a disposition to conduct liberally.

The House of Representatives did not reelect Mr. Beckley as their Clerk. This was resented not only by himself but the whole party, and they were rendered furious by it. To revenge, Beckley has been writing a pamphlet mentioned in the enclosed advertisement. The "authentic papers" there mentioned are those of which you perfectly know the history, formerly in the possession of Messrs. Monroe, Muhlenberg & Venable. This conduct is mean, base and infamous. It may destroy the peace of a respectable family, and so gratify the diabolical malice of a detestable faction, but I trust it cannot produce the intended effect of injuring the cause of government. With much sincerity and

esteem

VOL. 11.-13

Your affect'e friend

THEODORE SEDGWICK.

DEAR SIR:

G. WASHINGTON TO R. KING, London.

MOUNT VERNON, 25th June, 1797.

I have been honoured with your letter of the 12th of Novr. of the last, and 6th of Feby. & 26th of April of the present year; and feel myself much obliged by your kind & prompt attention to the publication of the Decree of the High Court of Chancery, of the State of Virginia; the evidence of which you were pleased to forward in the London Gazette.

As you will have the Political situation of this country transmitted to you from the proper Department, and, no doubt, will be informed of the causes wch. have produced it and which create a continual opposition to the Administration, detailed with more accuracy by such of your friends as are at or near the fountain of intelligence, than I could do, I shall say but little more on the subject of Politics, than that matters are pretty much in the train you left them; and that it is my firm belief that no occur. rence or event, of whatsoever kind or nature it may be, will change the sentiments, or (which perhaps would be more correct) the conduct of some characters amongst us.

However much to be regretted this is, by those who think differently, yet, having taken my seat in the Shade of my Vine & Fig tree, I shall endeavour to view things in the "calm lights of mild Philosophy"; persuaded that if ever a crisis should arise to call forth the good sense & spirit of the People, no deficiency in either will be found.

For the interesting details you have had the goodness to communicate in your several letters, I pray you to accept my thanks. It is reported, and with a confidence which gives it a currency, that the preliminaries of Peace between France & Austria are actually signed. For the sake of humanity, I hope it is true, but it is an accommodation of the differences between the former & Great Britain, that is to produce harmony in this country; for nothing short of that, while there is a party determined to advocate French measures under all circumstances, & to withdraw this country from that tried neutrality, which its policy adopted & the administration has adhered to, can effect this purpose.

Let me ask the favor of you to present me in respectful terms

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