d in her own practice or in that of other nations, as
we believe; the spirit manifested by the late grand jury in their
proceedings against those who had aided the enemies of France with arms
and implements of war; the expressions of attachment to his nation, with
which Mr. Genet was welcomed on his arrival and journey from south to
north, and our long forbearance under his gross usurpations and
outrages of the laws and authority of our country, do not bespeak the
partialities intimated in his letters. And for these things he rewards
us by endeavors to excite discord and distrust between our citizens
and those whom they have entrusted with their government, between the
different branches of our government, between our nation and his.
But none of these things, we hope, will be found in his power. That
friendship which dictates to us to bear with his conduct yet a while,
lest the interests of his nation here should suffer injury, will
hasten them to replace an agent, whose dispositions are such a
misrepresentation of theirs, and whose continuance here is inconsistent
with order, peace, respect, and that friendly correspondence which we
hope will ever subsist between the two nations. His government will see
too that the case is pressing. That it is impossible for two sovereign
and independent authorities to be going on within our territory at
the same time, without collision. They will foresee that if Mr. Genet
perseveres in his proceedings, the consequences would be so hazardous
to us, the example so humiliating and pernicious, that we may be forced
even to suspend his functions before a successor can arrive to continue
them. If our citizens have not already been shedding each other's blood,
it is not owing to the moderation of Mr. Genet, but to the forbearance
of the government. It is well known that if the authority of the laws
had been resorted to, to stop the Little Democrat, its officers and
agents were to have been resisted by the crew of the vessel, consisting
partly of American citizens. Such events are too serious, too possible,
to be left to hazard, or to what is more than hazard, the will of an
agent whose designs are so mysterious.

Lay the case then immediately before his government. Accompany it with
assurances, which cannot be stronger than true, that our friendship for
the nation is constant and unabating; that faithful to our treaties,
we have fulfilled them in every point to the best of our understanding;