Beaumarchais and the War of American Independence Volume II Part 16

CHAPTER XXII

"_After the perplexing and embarra.s.sing scenes you have just had to pa.s.s through, it must give you the most solid joy to see an armament going out to America.... I congratulate you on this great and glorious event, to which you have contributed more than any other person._"

"_Silas Deane to Beaumarchais._"

_March 29, 1778._

"_It seems to me that we cannot consistently with our own honor or self-respect pay off an undisputed debt with a doubtful or disputed gift._"

_Speech of Mr. Tucker of Virginia, Relative to the Claims of Beaumarchais, 1824._

Deane's Recall-Beaumarchais's Activity in Obtaining for Him Honorable Escort-Letters to Congress-Reception of Deane-Preoccupation of Congress at the Moment of His Return-Arnold and Deane in Philadelphia the Summer of 1778-Deane's Subsequent Conduct-Letters of Carmichael and Beaumarchais-Le Fier Roderigue-Silas Deane Returns to Settle Accounts-Debate Over the "Lost Million"-True Story of the "Lost Million"-Mr. Tucker's Speech-Final Settlement of the Claim of the Heirs of Beaumarchais.

In accounting for the recall of Deane, Wharton, in the beginning of his Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. I, p. 560, says:

"Deane had, or was supposed to have had, a considerable amount of business patronage which to Arthur Lee's eye gave too much opportunity for speculation, and not only did he suppose that Deane made use of this opportunity for his own benefit, but he himself desired to have the entire control of the business side of the mission placed in the hands of his brother William Lee, then, through the influence of Wilkes, alderman of London. The close connection which existed between Lee in Paris and the center of the opposition in London was not unknown to the French Ministry."

From the first, Vergennes had distrusted Lee, and held him at a distance. "Having had occasion," says Lomenie (Vol. I, p. 115), "to study closely the work of the deputation at Pa.s.sy, I am able to affirm that Lee never had any credit with the French Government, who, rightly or wrongly, suspected him of having secret relations with the English Cabinet.... It is this which perfectly explains his permanent irritation against his two colleagues."

Doniol (Vol. I, p. 368) affirms positively, "spies of the foreign office were in communication with him and he aided them to arrive even to M. de Vergennes."

"In his heart," continues Doniol, "he had an antipathy for France, which was shared by the majority of his countrymen. He was willing to accept everything from us, but on condition that no obligation be incurred."

"It is certainly not too much to say," says Jared Sparks in his _Life of Franklin_ (Vol. I, p. 450), "that the divisions and feuds which reigned for a long time in Congress with respect to the foreign affairs of the United States are to be ascribed more to Lee's malign influence than to all others."

It was the same that at the most perilous moment of the war, which was precisely this same winter of 1778, was exerting itself to the utmost of its power to place a creature of its own at the head of the American forces. So bitter had party spirit become, that a member from New England, whose patriotism was undisputed, had allowed himself to write in a letter which has been preserved: "I would rather that the whole cause should come to ruin, than that Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton should triumph."

Lee succeeded so well in poisoning the minds of Congress with regard to their commissioner that after much discussion a resolution was pa.s.sed on December 8, 1777, recalling Deane. The reason given being the importance of obtaining information as to the true state of affairs in Europe.

"It was originally proposed," says Parton (_Life of Franklin_, Vol. I, p. 250), "to accompany the resolution of recall by a preamble of censure. But John Jay took the defence of his absent friend and succeeded in getting the offensive preamble condemning a servant of the public unheard, stricken out." "In this case," continues Parton, "Jay was warmly his friend and defender, and not on this occasion only, but whenever he was attacked by Congress."

Franklin also warmly pleaded his cause by letter. Knowing that Congress had received unfavorably the foreign officers sent over by Deane, he wrote as follows:

"I, who am on the spot, and who know the infinite difficulty of resisting the powerful solicitations of great men, ... I hope that favorable allowances will be made to my worthy colleague on account of his situation at that time, as he long since has corrected the mistake and daily proves himself to my certain knowledge an able, faithful, active and extremely useful servant of the public." (Parton, _Life of Franklin_, Vol. II, p. 350.)

Franklin indeed might well plead for his friend in regard to the commissioning of officers, since, as has been seen, it was he who was responsible for the departure of du Coudray for America.

When the news of his recall reached Deane, he was filled with consternation. It was easy for him to pierce the thin veil of the reason given. The treatment which he already had received from Congress seemed the guarantee of further trouble.

He at once communicated his fears to Beaumarchais and his resolution not to return to America until a satisfactory explanation of the charges held against him were given. Beaumarchais, however, warmly urged his complying with the command of Congress, a.s.suring him that his presence and the positive proof of his integrity which he would bear with him quickly would dispel the gathering storm.

Deane seems to have been convinced that the wisest course would be to yield to authority; accordingly, he at once set about his preparations for the journey. Beaumarchais, equally active, addressed a lengthy memoir to the ministers.

The memoir is given in full in the Deane papers (Vol. II, p. 399). In it, with characteristic boldness, he prescribes the role necessary for each minister to play, in order that Deane's enemies may be outwitted.

Though Beaumarchais was no longer entrusted with the millions which were being handed over to the Americans, yet from the tone of his memoir there can be no doubt that he was still an indulged favorite.

"March 13, 1778.

"Secret Memoir to the King's Ministers, Sent to the Comte de Vergennes:"

(After explaining clearly the character and ambitions of Lee, his English connections, his influence in Congress, Beaumarchais continued:) "To succeed in his design, it was necessary to dispose of a colleague so formidable as Mr. Deane. This he has done by rendering him in many respects an object of suspicion to Congress.

"Having learned that foreign officers demanding commissions were not received favorably by the American Army, he put the worst construction upon the conduct of his colleague who sent them, maintaining that Mr. Deane arbitrarily and in spite of good advice, was responsible for the sending.... Another reason is the officious zeal displayed by M. Lee in constantly writing to Congress that all merchandise, etc., was a present.... Nothing then is easier than for the adroit Lee to blacken the conduct of Mr. Deane by representing it as the result of underhand measures contrived to support demands for money in which he expected to share; and this explains the silence, more than astonis.h.i.+ng, that Congress has observed in regard to over ten letters of mine full of details."

Then he draws a faithful picture of Deane's situation and speaks of his having at first formed the determination not to return until charges should be communicated to him.

"I have, however, urged him to go back to face the storm. 'Lee,'

I have said, 'accuses you of having arbitrarily sent officers to America; your complete defense is in my portfolio. I have in my possession a cipher letter from this time-serving Lee, urging me to send engineers and officers to the a.s.sistance of America, and the letter is written before your arrival in France.'"

Then he urged the importance for French interests to have so true and tried a friend as Mr. Deane back in America.

"I would desire," he wrote, "a particular mark of distinction, even the King's portrait or some such noticeable present to convince his countrymen that not only was he a creditable and faithful agent, but that his personality, prudence and action always have pleased the French Ministry.... I strongly recommend his being escorted by a fleet.... Once justified before Congress, his opinion becomes of immense weight and influence....

His enemies will remain dazed and humiliated at their own failure.... Should the ministry be unable to grant a fleet as he wishes, he ought at least to have a royal frigate to be furnished by M. de Sartine. His friend Beaumarchais will with pleasure undertake the composition of an explanatory and defensive memoir.

He should have a testimonial, laudatory of his conduct, and this important writing is the province of the Comte de Vergennes.

Finally I believe that there should be accorded to him some special favor, showing the esteem entertained for him personally and this would properly come from M. le Comte de Maurepas in the name of the king. (This seems to have been the only suggestion not carried out by the ministers.)

"There is not a moment to lose...."

Beaumarchais then recommended that everyone a.s.sume a dejected air at the news of Deane's recall, so that the enemies of the latter might be thrown off their guard. "If it is thought advisable, I will even quit Paris as one driven to despair. My lawsuit at Aix will furnish an excellent excuse. I suggest in addition that a reliable person accompany Mr. Deane, to return in the same frigate under order to await his convenience, bringing back the result of M. Deane's labors with Congress....

"Upon the a.s.surance that these considerations be regarded as just, I will neglect everything else until I have completely vindicated Mr.

Deane."

If anything could be more curious than the tone of the above memoir, it is the docility with which each minister filled the role mapped out for him. Not only was the portrait of the King with the personal testimonials given to Deane, but a fleet was sent out under the popular Comte d'Estaing to bear him safely to America, and with him the first minister sent by France to the new world went as his companion, charged with orders to follow closely his interests in the ensuing combat.

To the president of Congress he bore the following letter from the Comte de Vergennes:

"Versailles, March 25, 1778.

"Monsieur Deane being about to return to America, I seize this occasion with pleasure to give my testimony to the zeal, activity and intelligence with which he has conducted the interests of the United States and for which it has pleased his Majesty to give marks of his satisfaction."

To Deane himself Vergennes wrote the same day:

"March 26, 1778.

"As I am not, Sir, to have the honor of seeing you again before your departure I pray you to receive here my wishes that your voyage may be speedy, short, and happy, and that you may find in your own country the same sentiments which you inspired in France. You could not, sir, desire anything to be added to that which I feel for you and which I shall keep as long as I live.

The King, in order to give a personal proof of the satisfaction which he has had in your conduct, charged me to communicate it to the Congress of the United States. This is the object of the letter which Mr. Gerard will give you for Mr. Hanc.o.c.k. He will also give you a box ornamented with a portrait of the king. You will not refuse to carry into your country the image of its best friend."

On the 23rd of March, Beaumarchais had written to Congress in a letter in which he set forth the proofs in his possession of the innocence of Deane.

"These, gentlemen," he wrote, "were the real motives that determined us both in sending you the officers. As I have never treated with any other, as my firm never has transacted business with any other in France, and as the other commissioners have been lacking even in common civility towards me, I testify that if my zeal, my advances of money, and my s.h.i.+pments of supplies and merchandise have been acceptable to the august Congress, their grat.i.tude is due to the indefatigable exertions of Mr.

Deane throughout this commercial affair.

"I hope that the honorable Congress, rejecting the insinuations of others, who are desirous of appropriating for themselves the credit of the operations, will accept in perfect faith the present declaration of the man most capable of enlightening them and who respectfully signs himself and his firm, gentlemen, yours, etc.

"Caron de Beaumarchais,