Memorandum regarding Franco-American relations
Item
Type
Autograph Draft Document
Title
Memorandum regarding Franco-American relations
Description
Memorandum on Franco-American relations; McHenry concludes that France is in a difficult spot and is unlikely to have the ability to garner a fleet for war against the United States.
year created
1797
month created
05
day created
21
author
recipient
in collection
in image
notable person/group
James McHenry
William Loughton Smith
John Adams
merchants
allies
marine
navy
notable location
France
Spain
Netherlands
Holland
Florida
West Indies
West India
islands
Britain
England
notable item/thing
Supplies
vessels
provisions
fleet
notable idea/issue
Quasi-War
defense
peace
negotiations
war
document number
1797052100101
page start
1
transcription
May 21st 1797
Given to Wm. Smith.
In the debate upon the answer to the Presidents Speech, or in the course of discussing the ^defensive^ measures which it recommends, it may become a question, whether ^be said that^ France has anything ^nothing^ to fear from the U.S.
France it may be shown, has to fear 1st. The deprivation of those supplies of various kinds which she has heretofore received by American vessels, and the [medicines?] of Amer. merchants and which are essential to the prosecution of her continental war. 2d. The clamours of her allies, (Spain & the United Netherlands) from the injuries they must experience should she oblige them to adopt similar measures to these she herself is pursuing. 3d. The dangerous ^critical^ situation to which she will in particular reduce Spain ^in particular^, should she drag her into the war, considering that the fate, at least of [illegible] the Floridas, with ^and^ Louisiana depends upon Spains ^her^ retaining the friendship of the U. S. 4th. The certain loss of her West India Islands from a want of our provisions and other necessary supplies, which must inevitably throw them into the hands of Great Britain.
What on the other hand has the U. S. to fear from France? It is not probable that in the present situation of her ^the French^ Marine, that there can be spared from it a detachment adequate to make any impression on the U. S. should the measures of Defence ^contended for^ be adopted, we well know that she cannot furnish a fleet to protect her West India Islands, and shall we suppose her able to send a fleet to attack the U.S.] ^that could [naturally?] destroy the United States? But admitting that she may make such an attempt, would not the armament be thought by England to be destined for the West Indies ^at least must make England get at least upon that supposition; and would it not therefore be watched, intercepted or dispersed without much or any agency whatever on the part of the U.S.
Such being the position of the U. S. relation to Franceand to all every thing pacific is to be hoped from negotiation should she see that our preperations are calculated to meet war.
[stamp] Photocopied from original in William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan. Permission of Library Director required for reproduction, use,, or publication. Deposit of this copy in other institutions is strictly prohibited. [/stamp]
Given to Wm. Smith.
In the debate upon the answer to the Presidents Speech, or in the course of discussing the ^defensive^ measures which it recommends, it may become a question, whether ^be said that^ France has anything ^nothing^ to fear from the U.S.
France it may be shown, has to fear 1st. The deprivation of those supplies of various kinds which she has heretofore received by American vessels, and the [medicines?] of Amer. merchants and which are essential to the prosecution of her continental war. 2d. The clamours of her allies, (Spain & the United Netherlands) from the injuries they must experience should she oblige them to adopt similar measures to these she herself is pursuing. 3d. The dangerous ^critical^ situation to which she will in particular reduce Spain ^in particular^, should she drag her into the war, considering that the fate, at least of [illegible] the Floridas, with ^and^ Louisiana depends upon Spains ^her^ retaining the friendship of the U. S. 4th. The certain loss of her West India Islands from a want of our provisions and other necessary supplies, which must inevitably throw them into the hands of Great Britain.
What on the other hand has the U. S. to fear from France? It is not probable that in the present situation of her ^the French^ Marine, that there can be spared from it a detachment adequate to make any impression on the U. S. should the measures of Defence ^contended for^ be adopted, we well know that she cannot furnish a fleet to protect her West India Islands, and shall we suppose her able to send a fleet to attack the U.S.] ^that could [naturally?] destroy the United States? But admitting that she may make such an attempt, would not the armament be thought by England to be destined for the West Indies ^at least must make England get at least upon that supposition; and would it not therefore be watched, intercepted or dispersed without much or any agency whatever on the part of the U.S.
Such being the position of the U. S. relation to Franceand to all every thing pacific is to be hoped from negotiation should she see that our preperations are calculated to meet war.
[stamp] Photocopied from original in William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan. Permission of Library Director required for reproduction, use,, or publication. Deposit of this copy in other institutions is strictly prohibited. [/stamp]
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | BRF12 (2 pages) | Collection: James McHenry Papers | B: 2,2 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | James McHenry | [unknown] | [n/a] |
| Recipient | William Loughton Smith | [unknown] | [n/a] |