Complete Works. Hamilton AlexanderЧитать онлайн книгу.
affectionate sister
ANGELICA CHURCH.
England had declared war upon France, and this was not without its influence upon the democrats or French sympathizers, as well as the patriots abroad. Angelica Church wrote from London: "My heart beats with anxiety and fear. The Americans here speak of a war between this country and one a thousand fold dearer to me which Heaven avert. In consequence of this an order from the British Court has been issued to take all ships heading for France or her Colonies. Show this to Hamilton and bid him write to me for he is too silent."
This action led, not only to much interference with commerce, but much injustice was done to American subjects.
The interference with American shipping by English cruisers never entirely stopped, and during the war with France this was often most offensive. Mr. Richard Olive was a prosperous merchant in New York, but after the French Revolution he attempted to take his family back for a visit, with disagreeable results which he communicated to his friend, Alexander Hamilton, who was also his lawyer, in this pathetic letter:
Richard Olive to Alexander Hamilton
DARTMOUTH, Sep. 1801.
There could not possibly be two more astounding contrasts for us than that from New York to Dartmouth to which place we have been brought after 35 days' passage; the interest and kindness with which you have honored my family make it my duty to give you a faithful account of the events that have happened to us since we left happy America, that beautiful part of the world in which Providence has placed men who do honor to humanity!
We were sailing with perfect security under a flag that we believed to be more than ever respected in Europe, since generous America had covered the ocean with her vessels in order to succour England by sending her the large quantity of provisions she lacked. Personally I was perfectly tranquil [undisturbed ?] being provided with a passport from Col. Barclay,1 under whose protection I thought to be secure from all persecution in regard to the time at which I had emigrated; at the entrance to the Channel we were met by the British Cruiser Fly, Captain Thomas Duval, homeward bound from the African Coast; he sent Captain Jan Landon on board the Georgia to examine all her papers with strict attention, having found them all correct he allowed us to proceed; the examining officer told Captn Duval that there was a French family on board, and that Mme Olive had not left her bed since leaving N. York; we were quite close to the English frigate; it was perfectly calm; Captn Duval came on board with his surgeons to offer assistance to Mme Olive with a grace that yet adorns mankind. To this gallant and generous officier of His Majesty I showed all that I must naturally feel in such circumstances; he was short of provisions, I had the satisfaction of offering him half of mine, and during the 5 days that we were within reach there was a continual engagement of proceedings in no wise hurtful and that leave no trace but those of reciprocal esteem; Monsieur Duval, a young officer whose merit shows itself in spite of great modesty, is that one sent by Lord Nelson overland to India after the battle of the Nile, and who went and returned so promptly; this fact alone proves that he is one of the most distinguished officers; I have infinite pleasure Monsieur, in giving you these details before telling you their hideous contrast.
The Fly was nearly out of sight when we were stopped by two cutters, calling themselves cutters of the King. They sent two boats aboard; they examined our papers and having found them all correct ordered us to proceed. Captain Landon was working the ship ahead, when upon second thoughts he was ordered to stop, and soon after they boarded us in numbers in order to take us into Dartmouth, which we reached the evening of the 17th August. I could fill twenty pages with the account of the barbarous treatment my family endured from the two lieutenants commanding these two cutters, armed by private individuals and hired out to the King. We were confined to the ship twelve days and twelve nights, without holding any communication with anyone whatsoever; Mme Olive and her daughters were searched in their beds and themselves searched to the skin; they forced themselves into the cabin where my sick wife lay, in order to rob her for three days of the only servant she had; I was then escorted to land; in short, towards us they violated the Rights of Nations, the Rights of Men, the protection of passports, the Rights of decency and even the rights of humanity! In vain I asked to see the Governor, the Commander, the Magistrates, with tears of rage and despair; our two tyrants replied with an insulting smile that it was the way of the service; at last I managed to get a letter to Monsieur Rufus King, your Ambassador, telling him in the confusion of my grief that I had no claim upon his protection except that my family had the honor of his acquaintance, and that two of my children were born in his country; he did not lose a moment and applied to Lord St. Vincent with an interest and kindness that filled me with sentiments that no words can express; thus even in Europe, Monsieur, America still protects my unfortunate family; what do we not owe this second fatherland!
Thanks to Mr. King and to Monsieur Duval who also took measures, we are on land, and are meeting with comforting tokens of kindness on the part of all the reputable inhabitants of Dartmouth, and even from the people, who have been told of the severity of the two men who are a disgrace to their society.
The governor has taken in my two eldest daughters and we are now amongst noble and generous English, awaiting orders from the Admiralty.
Captain Landon left three days ago for London, he was held prisoner several days; this estimable Captain redoubled his consideration, exertions and attentions towards my family in our distress. I and mine owe him eternal gratitude. Without the slightest ceremony they deprived me of all my books, my private papers, not leaving me a single one, and that without taking an inventory, without a receipt, without a soul to represent me during the examination. They are at the mercy of the two lieutenants in a lodging house; dead oak leaves could not be neglected with less care.
I expect justice from the Government, if necessary I will go to London to obtain it; if not for myself for those who in the future might experience similar persecution.
I should not know Europe again, ah! Monsieur, how it is all changed! This town had 150 ships. At this moment nine only are being equipped for Newfoundland; the people are tired of war, they sigh and long for peace; everything is at a standstill; children and old men -- such would describe the inhabitants of the town. Everyone speaks with a kind of envy of the prosperity of the United States, in all conversation it is disputed and asked which country offers the greatest resources ? as if each one had thoughts of leaving; I am telling you the exact truth; I also expect to find many changes in my own country, but I had no idea of all that I see here. I beg you to present the most respectful regards from my family to Madame Hamilton and to Mme Church, whose kindness will never be effaced from our hearts.
With assurance of profound respect Monsieur, I am
Your very humble & obedient servant,
RICHD. OLIVE.
All this time revolutionary clubs were forming, and a large part of the community was in sympathy with the "sister republic."
Angelica Church wrote, January 1, 1793, to her sister from London:
The French are mad, but I have a great curiosity to be well informed in what light they are regarded by the majority of America and what is the opinion of the discerning few. You have intelligence at hand. Alexander can tell you all. I hear the Jacobins have already made a thrust at him, but that he defended himself with vigour. A year later she wrote:
If you ever meet Mr. Bache the printer pray tell him that in France they say that Jacobin clubs are the center of sedition and they are suppressed by the Convention amid the applause and blessings of the people -- this will be a very agreeable article to his supporters the Jacobin democrats. Jefferson's life in France admirably fitted him as leader for the so-called "Republican" party at home. In his "Notes on Virginia" his contemptuous state of mind is apparent, and on his return he began the attack on the so-called "monarchical party," in other words, the Federalists. Imbued with more or less of the discontent and revolutionary feelings of those in France who had just murdered their king, he was quite ready to lend himself to the disorder that had been stirred up by the French agents in the United States. Edmond Charles Genet,1 representing the French Republic, landed in Charleston, South Carolina, April 9, 1793, with his pockets