美国学生历史 第84期:最后一个联邦党政府(2)

 　　220. The X.Y.Z. Affair, 1797~98. 220．"X.Y.Z事件"（1797~1798年）

　　Adams at once summoned Congress and addressed the members in stirring words. 亚当斯立刻召集国会，他的讲话言辞激烈。

　　He denied that the Americans were a "degraded people, humiliated¹ under a colonial sense of fear … and regardless of national honor, character, and interest." 亚当斯否认美国是一个"卑劣的民族，在恐惧的殖民意识下受尽屈辱……毫无国家荣誉、形象和利益"；

　　It seemed best, however, to make one more effort to avoid war. 然而，最好是再做一次努力以避免战争。

　　Adams therefore sent John Marshall, a Virginia Federalist, and Elbridge Gerry, a Massachusetts Republican, to France. 因此，亚当斯派弗吉尼亚州的联邦党人约翰o马歇尔和马萨诸塞州的共和党人阿尔布里奇去法国，

　　They were to join Pinckney and together were to negotiate with the French Directory. 他们要和平克尼一起与法国的五人执政内阁磋商。

　　When they reached Paris three men came to see them. 当他们到达巴黎后三个人来见他们，

　　These men said that America (1) must apologize for the President's vigorous words, (2) must lend money to France, and (3) must bribe² the Directory and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. 这些人提出：（1）美国必须为总统的过激言论道歉；（2）美国必须借给法国钱；（3）美国必须向"法国指南"和法国外交部行贿。

　　These outrageous³ suggestions were emphatically put aside. 这些肆无忌惮的要求被断然拒绝。

　　In sending the papers to Congress, the three men were called Mr. X., Mr. Y., and Mr. Z., so the incident is always known as the "X.Y.Z. Affair." 在将文件送给国会时三个人被叫做X先生、Y先生和Z先生，因此，人们就把这个事件叫做"X.Y.Z事件"。

　　221. Indignation in America. 221．美国各地的愤慨

　　Federalists and Republicans joined in indignation. 联邦党人和共和党人都加入到抗议中，

　　"Millions for defense⁴, not one cent for tribute," was the cry of the day. "全民保卫祖国，不派一人进贡"是当时的口号

　　French flags were everywhere torn down. ，到处都是被焚烧的法国国旗，

　　"Hail Columbia" was everywhere sung. 到处都有人传唱"嗨！哥伦比亚"。

　　Adams declared that he would not send another minister to France 亚当斯宣布，他绝不会再派第二个使节到法国。

　　until he was assured that the representative of the United States would be received as "the representative of a great, free, powerful, and independent state." 除非他相信美国的代表将被法国当做"一个伟大、自由、富强和独立国家的代表"接待，

1 humiliated   

感到羞愧的

参考例句：

• Parents are humiliated if their children behave badly when guests are present. 子女在客人面前举止失当，父母也失体面。
• He was ashamed and bitterly humiliated. 他感到羞耻，丢尽了面子。

2 bribe   

n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通

参考例句：

• He tried to bribe the policeman not to arrest him.他企图贿赂警察不逮捕他。
• He resolutely refused their bribe.他坚决不接受他们的贿赂。

3 outrageous   

adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的

参考例句：

• Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
• Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。

4 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。