Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
Yes, thank God! We have now a treaty, signed by themselves, in which
they have voluntarily passed away the only means of annoyance which they
possessed. But I do not thank the honorable gentleman who is at the
head of our Executive. At the time this negotiation was commenced there
could not be the smallest hope of its being carried into effect. The
French Consul had obtained it perhaps for the express purpose of carrying
into effect his favorite scheme of universal domination; it might give
him the chance of injuring the British, controlling the Spaniards, and
dismembering America. Compared with these objects a handful of bank stock
was of no more consequence to him than a handful of sand. His fleet and
army were ready to sail, and his colonial prefect had already arrived.
But, mark! The King of Great Britain, who at this crisis I take to have
been by far the most able negotiator we had, declares war. The scene is
now changed. That which France had refused to our intercessions, she was
now compelled to grant from mere necessity. A state of warfare took place
about the last of March, and the treaty was signed soon afterwards. As
long as I retain the small stock of understanding which it has pleased
God to give me, I shall never be induced to believe, that it was owing
in the smallest degree to the efficacy of diplomatic representation. The
mind of that great man (Buonaparte) is not made of such soft materials
as to receive an impress from the collision of every gentle hand.
Stern, collected, and inflexible, he laughs to scorn the toying arts of
persuasion; his soul is a stupendous rock, which the rushing of mighty
waters cannot shake from its place. No, sir; had it not been for this
happy coincidence of circumstances, the personal solicitations of our
ministers would have been regarded with as listless an ear as if they had
been whispered across the ocean.
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