Il ne m'est pas possible de peindre toute ma sensibilite sur ce
scandale, qui tend a la diminution de votre commerce, a l'oppression
du notre, et a l'abaissement, a l'avilissement des republiques. Si nos
concitoyens ont ete trompes, si vous n'etes point en etat de soutenir la
souverainete de votre peuple, parlez; nous l'avons garantie quand
nous etions esclaves, nous saurons la rendre redoubtable etant devenus
libres.' We draw a veil over the sensations which these expressions
excite. No words can render them; but they will not escape the
sensibility of a friendly and magnanimous nation, who will do us
justice. We see in them neither the portrait of ourselves, nor the
pencil of our friends; but an attempt to embroil both; to add still
another nation to the enemies of his country, and to draw on both a
reproach, which it is hoped will never stain the history of either.
The written proofs, of which Mr. Genet was himself the bearer, were
too unequivocal to leave a doubt that the French nation are constant in
their friendship to us. The resolves of their National Convention, the
letters of their Executive Council attest this truth, in terms which
render it necessary to seek in some other hypothesis, the solution of
Mr. Genet's machinations against our peace and friendship.
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