美国学生历史 第86期:最后一个联邦党政府(4)

 　　223. Treaty with France, 1800. 223．与法国人签订条约（1800年）

　　This vigor¹ convinced the French that they had been hasty in their treatment of the Americans.  这种气势让法国人相信他们对待美国人的态度过于草率，

　　They now said that if another minister were sent to France, he would be honorably received.  现在，法国人提出，如果再有一位外交使节派往法国，他将被体面地接待。

　　Adams wished to send one of the American ministers then in Europe, and thus end the dispute as soon as possible.  亚当斯从当时还在欧洲的驻外使节中选出一名派往法国，以尽可能迅速解决与法国的争端，

　　But the other Federalist leaders thought that it would be better to wait until France sent a minister to the United States. 但是，其他联邦党人认为，最好在法国向美国派来使节后再这么做，

　　Finally they consented to the appointment of three commissioners².  最终他们同意任命一个三人代表团。

　　Napoleon Bonaparte was now the ruler of France.  这时候拿破仑·波拿马是法国的统治者，

　　He received the commissioners honorably, and a treaty was soon signed.  他很体面地接待了这些代表团。不久，就签订了一个条约。

　　On two points, however, he refused to give way.  他拒绝在两个点上做出让步。

　　He declined to pay for American property seized by the French, and he insisted that the treaty of 1778 was still binding³ on both countries.  他拒绝赔偿法国从美国掠夺的财产并且他坚持认为1778年条约仍然对美法两国有约束力。

　　It was finally agreed that the Americans should give up their claims for damages, and the French government should permit the treaty to be annulled⁴.  最后美国与法国达成一致，美国不再提赔偿要求，法国政府答应废除1778年条约。

　　John Adams always looked upon this peaceful ending of the dispute with France as the most prudent⁵ and successful act of his whole life.  亚当斯一直把与法国争端以和平告终这件事作为其一生中最审慎而成功的一页，

　　But Hamilton and other Federalists thought it was treachery to the party.  但汉米尔顿和其他联邦党人认为如此解决是叛党行为，

　　They set to work to prevent his reelection to the presidency⁶.  他们开始着手阻止亚当斯连任。

1 vigor   

n.活力，精力，元气

参考例句：

• The choir sang the words out with great vigor.合唱团以极大的热情唱出了歌词。
• She didn't want to be reminded of her beauty or her former vigor.现在，她不愿人们提起她昔日的美丽和以前的精力充沛。

2 commissioners   

n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官

参考例句：

• The Commissioners of Inland Revenue control British national taxes. 国家税收委员管理英国全国的税收。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The SEC has five commissioners who are appointed by the president. 证券交易委员会有５名委员，是由总统任命的。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件

3 binding   

有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的

参考例句：

• The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

4 annulled   

v.宣告无效( annul的过去式和过去分词 )；取消；使消失；抹去

参考例句：

• Their marriage was annulled after just six months. 他们的婚姻仅过半年就宣告取消。
• Many laws made by the former regime have been annulled. 前政权制定的许多法律被宣布无效。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 prudent   

adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的

参考例句：

• A prudent traveller never disparages his own country.聪明的旅行者从不贬低自己的国家。
• You must school yourself to be modest and prudent.你要学会谦虚谨慎。

6 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。