"Assimilated to, or rather identified with free people by the form of her government, she saw in them," he said, "only friends and brothers.

Long accustomed to regard the American people as her most faithful allies, she sought to draw closer the ties already formed in the fields of America, under the auspices of victory, over the ruins of tyranny." To answer this speech was a task of some delicacy.

It was necessary to express feelings adapted to the occasion, without implying sentiments with respect to the belligerent powers, which might be improper to be used by the chief magistrate of a neutral country.

With a view to both these objects, the President made the following reply: "Born, sir, in a land of liberty; having early learned its value; having engaged in a perilous conflict to defend it; having, in a word, devoted the best years of my life to secure its permanent establishment in my own country; my anxious recollections, my sympathetic feelings, and my best wishes, are irresistibly attracted, whensoever, in any country, I see an oppressed nation unfurl the banners of freedom.

But above all, the events of the French revolution have produced the deepest solicitude, as well as the highest admiration.