UNITED STATES, _January 4, 1796_.
[TRANSLATION.]
The Representatives of the French People, composing the
Committee of Public Safety of the National Convention,
charged by the laws of the 7th Fructidor, with the
direction of Foreign Relations, to the Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled:
_Citizens Representatives:_ The connections which nature,
reciprocal events, and a happy concurrence of
circumstances, have formed between two free nations, cannot
but be indissoluble. You have strengthened those sacred
ties by the declarations, which the Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States has made, in your
name, to the National Convention, and to the French people.
They have been received with rapture by a nation who know
how to appreciate every testimony which the United States
have given to them of their affection. The Colors of both
nations, united in the centre of the National Convention,
will be an everlasting evidence of the part which the
United States have taken in the success of the French
Republic.
You were the first defenders of the rights of man in
another hemisphere. Strengthened by your example, and
endowed with an invincible energy, the French people have
vanquished that tyranny, which, during so many centuries of
ignorance, superstition, and baseness, had enchained a
generous nation.
Soon did the people of the United States perceive that
every victory of ours strengthened their independence and
happiness. They were deeply affected at our momentary
misfortunes, occasioned by treasons purchased by English
gold. They have celebrated with rapture the successes of
our brave armies.
None of these sympathetic emotions have escaped the
sensibility of the French nation. They have all served to
cement the most intimate and solid union that has ever
existed between two nations.
The citizen ADET, who will reside near your Government in
quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republic,
is specially instructed to tighten these bands of
fraternity and mutual benevolence. We hope that he may
fulfil this principal object of his mission, by a conduct
worthy of the confidence of both nations, and of the
reputation which his patriotism and virtues have acquired
him.
An analogy of political principles; the natural relations
of commerce and industry; the efforts and immense
sacrifices of both nations in the defence of liberty and
equality; the blood which they have spilled together; their
avowed hatred for despots; the moderation of their
political views; the disinterestedness of their councils;
and especially, the success of the vows which they have
made in presence of the Supreme Being, to be free or die;
all combine to render indestructible the connections which
they have formed.
Doubt it not, citizens, we shall finally destroy the
combination of tyrants. You, by the picture of prosperity,
which, in your vast countries, has succeeded to a bloody
struggle of eight years; we, by the enthusiasm which glows
in the breast of every Frenchman. Astonished nations, too
long the dupes of perfidious Kings, Nobles, and Priests,
will eventually recover their rights, and the human race
will owe to the American and French nations their
regeneration and a lasting peace.
Paris, 30th Vindemaire, 3d year of the French Republic, one
and indivisible.
The Members of the Committee of Public Safety.
J. S. B. DELMAS,
MERLIN (of Douai) &c.