sailed from Boston carrying 130 Guns & as this spirit is extending itself the little pirates from the West Indies will not be able to annoy us much in future; our public vessels carrying from 14 to 44 Guns will be increased to 40 or 50 in the course of the year & surely we are capable of doing much more.

Vive vale.

G. C.

CHAPTER XXIV.

France to send skilful Intriguers to U. S-Bonaparte's Fleet from Toulon may meet Nelson-Ireland's Union to England must come-American Consuls should give Certificates of Residence-Conquest of Malta-Miranda— Treaties with France set aside-U. S. must defend themselves-Hostile Measures passed by Congress-Washington appointed Lieut. Genl.— Troops to be raised-Patriotic Addresses to the President-Decatur captures French Privateer-France may declare War against the U. S.—Mr. Murray suggests England's Interference for People of Holland-Copper for the U. S.-Members of French National Institute to be sent to the U. S. -Republic of Blacks in St. Domingo-T. Pinckney would support the Government-Irish likely to emigrate-Should have Certificates of Charter-Washington accepts Command-R. King gratified by Firmness of U. S.-Its Effect in England-Its Government and People decided.

R. KING TO SECRETARY OF STATE. No. 83.

DEAR SIR:

LONDON, July 2, 1798.

We desire farther information respecting the views of France from the following extracts of the Paris papers. The project of sending Mr. Sottin, lately the Minister of Police, and other restless and skilful Intriguers, under the character of Consuls into our country is the same as that by which they have succeeded in overthrowing the Independence of Switzerland and other nations. If any thing could exceed the past insolence of France, it is the Mission of a corps of Revolutionary agents, under the masque of public characters, and who it is presumed (I hope and believe falsely) will be received and permitted to reside among us, after the repeated refusal and expulsion of our public Ministers. I think it is a bold step on the part of France, who certainly risques a refusal from us, which she has as yet nowhere received, and which would, in my opinion, exalt our character still higher in the eyes of Europe.

With perfect Respect & Esteem &c.

RUFUS KING.

Extracts referred to:

"PARIS, June 18, 1798.

EXTRAIT DES REGISTRES DU DIRECTOIRE EXECUTIF. "Le Directoire Exécutif considérant que chaque jour on acquiert des nouveaux indices des coupables intelligences qu' entretiennent les ennemis de la Republique avec les malveillans de l'intérieure ; considérant que les motifs qui ont fait interdire aux Americains l'entrée des Ports de Brest, L'Orient, Rochefort, Toulon & Dunkerque, sont applicables au Port de Havre, contre lequel il y a lieu de craindre que la perfidie Anglaise ne dirige spécialement ses funestes intrigues; oui le Rapport du ministre de la marine & des colonies, arrêté 1. L'entrée du port du Havre est interdit aux batîmens Americains. 2 Ceux des bâtimens de cette nation qui se trouveront maintenant au Havre, seront tenus d'en sortir sous le plus bref delai ; 3 Le ministre de la marine est chargé de l'exécution &c."

"Paris June 18, 1798. Le citoyen Roziers est nommé Consul Général aux Etats Unis; Garnier, ex-conventionnel de Saintes, consul, & Boscq, vice-consul à Wilmington. Quillet, consul à Tanger, passe à Norfolk; Bosc à New York et le citoyen Sottin, ambassadeur près la Republique Ligurienne, et ci-devant ministre de la Police, vient d'être nommé consul à New York.”

R. KING TO A. HAMILTON.*

DEAR SIR :

LONDON, July 2, 1798.

France will pursue with us the plan that she has elsewhere found successful. She will endeavour to overthrow us by the divisions among ourselves, which she will excite and support by all the means of which she is mistress.

If any thing could exceed the past insolence of France, it would be this attempt to plant in our chief towns a corps of revolutionary agents under the mask of public characters, and whom she expects, I hope falsely, that our government will receive and permit to reside among us, after having herself repeatedly refused and expelled from her territory our public ministers.

*Hamilton's Works, vi., 308.

Another arrêt of the Directory has added Havre to the ports into which our vessels are forbid an entry; so that we cannot now enter the ports of Toulon, Rochefort, L'Orient, Brest, Dunkerque or Havre. Cadiz and the Texel are closed by the British squadrons, and I apprehend that the Meuse will likewise be blockaded, as the British North Sea fleet is by this time reinforced by the Russian Squadron.

We are still at a loss where Buonaparte is bound. He sailed from Toulon on the 19th of May. My opinion has been that Ireland was his object. At present, it seems to be the general opinion that he never intended to leave the Mediterranean. In a few days we must hear of him. The English confidently believe that he will fall into the hands of Admiral Nelson, who is in pursuit of him. In Ireland, though for some months there will be partial and unimportant risings, the force of the insurrection is broken and the danger nearly over. The chiefs have been without character and without any intellect. There is no indication that they have received a single musket from France, and in general they are without arms, except pikes. There is but one successful remedy for Ireland, and it is that which has proved so successful with Scotland. Ireland, like Scotland, must become an integral part of the British Empire, or she will continue ignorant, ill-governed, oppressed and wretched.

DEAR SIR:

RUFUS KING TO W. WICKHAM.

GREAT CUMBERLAND PLACE, July 3, 1798.

I take the liberty of sending you a list of American citizens in whose favor I think there would be a propriety in making an exception in the proposed regulations respecting Aliens. The great number of American citizens residing in different parts of Great Britain for commercial and other purposes, seems to make it requisite, in order to satisfy the provisions of the alien law, that they should be enabled to obtain from our Consuls certificates of citizenship instead of being obliged to apply to me for that purpose.

From the great prudence and good principles of our Consuls in this country I am persuaded that you will be safe from abuse in

accepting their certificates in the place of mine. If this arrangement will be agreeable to you, which should extend to all the districts, I will transmit to you a list of our Consuls and furthermore send to them an instruction on this subject. I should hope likewise that the certificates of our Consuls will be received in all applications for passports upon the arrival and departure of American citizens. To you who are frequently acquainted with the thousand things that occupy the attention of a foreign Minister, it is needless to remark that an arrangement such as I propose must be a very great relief to me.

With perfect respect & esteem.

RUFUS KING.

In despatch No. 84 to Secretary of State, etc., dated London, July 6, 1798, R. King says:

"The late accounts from America, as is natural, have given very great satisfaction here; and I should observe an improper reserve did I not add that all Parties unite in expressing their admiration of the conduct of the President.

"With perfect Respect & Esteem &c.

"6 RUFUS KING."

CIRCULAR TO CONSULS.

LONDON, July 9, 1798.

SIR : You will observe that with a few exceptions, the late Proclamation requires all aliens to report themselves and obtain permission to reside in Great Britain, and that no alien will be suffered to come and go without a Passport. As it would be inconvenient to our countrymen, dispersed as they are throughout this country and likewise to those from time to time arriving and departing to be obliged to apply to me for certificates of citizenship in order to obtain permission to reside, or passports to depart, the Duke of Portland has consented to my proposal, that our Consuls, in all cases relative to the alien regulations, shall give certificates of citizenship to such persons as shall in a satisfactory manner prove themselves entitled to the same, and that these certificates shall be received in like manner as mine heretofore have been. It is proper that I should recommend to you the greatest caution in