Friday, May 19.
Richard Brent, from Virginia, appeared, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat.
Documents Referred to in the President's Speech.
The Speaker informed the House that he had received a communication from the Department of State, containing sundry documents referred to by the President in his Speech to both Houses, numbered from 1 to 18. He proceeded to read No. 1, viz:
1. A letter from General Pinckney to the Secretary of State, dated Paris, December 20, 1796, giving an account of his arrival at Bordeaux; of his journey from thence to Paris, in which, from the badness of the roads, he broke three wheels of his carriage; of the ill treatment he received from M. Delacroix, &c. He remarks, that it is not surprising that the French Republic have refused to receive him, since they have dismissed no less than thirteen foreign Ministers; and since they have been led to believe by a late emigrant, that the United States was of no greater consequence to them than the Republics of Genoa or Geneva. He also mentions, that it seemed to be the opinion in France, that much depended on the election of the President, as one of the candidates was considered the friend of England, the other as devoted to France. The people of France, he observes, have been greatly deceived, with respect to the United States, by misrepresentation, being led to believe that the people and Government have different views; but, adds he, any attempt to divide the people from the Government, ought to be to the people of the United States, the signal for rallying. Gen. Pinckney several times mentions Mr. Monroe in this letter with great respect; and says that before his arrival the Directory had been very cool towards him, but, since that time, they had renewed their civilities to him.
2. Is a report of Major General Mountflorence to General Pinckney, dated December 18, 1796, on the subject of American vessels brought prizes into the ports of France.
3. Extract of a letter from Gen. Pinckney to the Secretary of State, dated Paris, January 6, 1797, in which he mentions the distressed situation of American citizens, arriving in the ports of France, who were immediately thrown into prison, and could not be released, until an order was got from the American Minister, countersigned by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs; and no Minister being acknowledged there at present, no relief could be afforded. He, however, applied to M. Delacroix on their behalf, by means of the secretary, Major Rutledge, and got them attended to through the Minister of General Police. General Pinckney gives a further account of conversations which passed between his secretary and M. Delacroix, on the subject of his quitting Paris, in which he told him he must do so, or be liable to the operation of the police laws; but refused to commit his orders to writing. He mentions Barras's answer to Monroe's address as a curious production; but says it was not particularly calculated as an answer to what was said by Mr. Monroe, as he had it prepared, and was unacquainted with what would be said by Mr. Monroe.
4. Extract of a letter from Gen. Pinckney to the Secretary of State, dated Amsterdam, February 18, informing him, that, having had official notice to quit the French Republic, he had gone to Amsterdam.
5. Extract of a letter from General Pinckney to the Secretary of State, dated Amsterdam, March 5, in which he observes, that before he left Paris, it was rumored that the Dutch were determined to treat American vessels in the same manner as the French had done. He now believes that the French wished them to do so, as he had lately received intelligence that the Dutch had objected to do this, alleging that it would be a great injury to them, as they should then lose their trade with this country, and if so, they would be deprived of furnishing that support to the French which they then gave them. France acquiesced because she saw it was her interest; and having 25,000 troops in Batavia, it was generally known that they could do what they pleased with that country. The General adds, with detestation, that there are American citizens who fit out privateers to cruise against the trade of this country.
6. Extract of a letter from Major General Mountflorence to General Pinckney, dated Paris, February 14, mentioning the capture of a vessel from Boston, and another from Baltimore, by an American citizen on board a privateer: adding, that American citizens of this class are continually wishing for more rigorous laws against American commerce.