The town of Bedford was incorporated into a borough in 1795, but it did not function as a borough at that time. Some discord between individuals or groups of individuals prevented Bedford Borough from functioning fully and effectively at the beginning, but there was not always animosity in the community. The townspeople came together in times of crisis. In a display of unified public concern, the people came together in 1798. That was the year that the XYZ Affair occurred, in which the United States became involved with France in an undeclared war, known as the Quasi-War.
The monarchical government of France, in 1797, had been overthrown by the citizen army in their own French Revolution. At the time, the fledgling United States of America still owed the government of King Louis XVI a debt which had been incurred when France lent money to assist the Colonies in their rebellion against Great Britain. The United States owed nearly $12 million to France by the end of the American Revolutionary War. Although the problem encountered by the French was that they were nearly bankrupt because of their funding of the Colonies, the quandary for the new United States Congress was that it felt that it owed the money to the Ancien Regime of Louis XVI. With his overthrow in 1789, and the establishment of a new government called the First Republic, the U.S. Congress felt that there was no legitimacy in repaying the debt to that new government. Its stance was that the debt was owed to Louis; nothing had been borrowed from the new French government. The French were caught up in the war that had erupted throughout Europe in 1793, and at first did nothing against the United States. Then French ships began to attack American shipping fleets. The United States decided to attempt to form diplomatic relations with the French in order to bring an end to the maritime attacks.
Diplomats to Paris in July 1797 were accosted by French officials and ordered to pay bribes in order to speak to the French Foreign Minister Tallyrand. They were offended at such a reception and their indignation was announced when they returned home. The residents of Bedford (Borough and County) expressed their support of the United States of America against France in letters that they sent to the President of the United States and to the Congress. On 31 May 1798 the inhabitants of Bedford sent the following letter to the President:
At a numerous meeting of the inhabitants of the Borough and County of Bedford (Pennsyl-vania) at the Court house in said Borough on the 31st day of May 1798 ~ It was Unanimously Resolved ~
That the following Address be signed by the chairman and attested by the Clerk: and that a copy thereof be transmitted to the President of the United States and to both Houses of Congress ~~
To the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America.
We not only consider it our right but at this Interesting crisis our duty also, with becoming freedom and candour respectfully to Address to the constituted authorities of our country, our sentiments, as citizens and constituents, concerning our important national Interests.
Whatsoever difference of sentiment may prevail amongst us on various internal subjects; yet when our happiness as a People ~ when our Independence as a Nation is at stake, divesting ourselves of all inferior considerations, we are United in onr Opinion and Sentiment in the great cause of our common Country. Peace with all nations, upon honourable terms, is the most ardent wish of our hearts; and we believe it also to be the sincere sentiment of the People and the Government of the United States, But firmly relying on your Patriotism widom and virtue, we shall upon this and upon all other Occasions cheerfully rest it with you, to decide upon and pursue the best and most effectual measures, honourably to accommodate and adjust all differences which may unhappily exist between us and other nations. And trusting that the direction of that Supreme Being who hath all nations at his command will guide you in the paths of rectitude and wisdom. We will unite with our fellow citizens "as a band of brothers" resolved to perform our duties, and to protect our rights. We also solemnly declare that we will at all times heartily contribute our utmost support for the preservation of Government of the United States, and in the defence of our National Liberty and Independence against the Mischiefs of domestic faction, and the intrigues and aggressions of foreign Influence and power.
Signed by order of the Meeting, Hugh Barclay, Chairman. Attest, William Reynolds, Clerk.
It was also unanimously resolved ~ That Colonel Benjamin Bird, Doctor John Anderson, Jacob Saylor, Jacob Wink Esqr, Corneleus Devore Esqr, Solomon Adams, Thomas Vickroy, Andrew Dixon Esqr, Amos Evans Esqr, John Piper Esqr, Samuel Graves, Thomas Coulter Esqr, William Patterson and Peter Morgaret be a committee of the County to procure Subscribers to the above or a similar Address. William Reynolds, Clerk.
President John Adams responded with a letter "To the Inhabitants of the Borough and County of Bedford in Pennsylvania."
Pressident Adams told the Bedford residents that "I believe, there never were three men together, if there were two, who did not find some difference of Sentiment to prevail among them on various subjects, ~ unanimity in all things is never to be expected; yet, when the essential happiness of a people, when the Independence of a Nation is at stake, and irreconcilable difference of opinion is the infallible proof of a corruption that must produce ruin, ~ This I will confidently affirm is not the melancholy situation of America" He also noted that "Your Government is your own. If you cannot select persons in whom you can confide, who can? Where, where will you look? To foreign Governments, Generals, or Ambassadors? No; let us trust in the direction of the Supreme Being and unite as a Band of Brothers."
The foregoing incident is just an example of how the people of Bedford Borough were interested in the affairs of the Federal government and their willingness to stand with that government against any foe. That patriotism would be once again revealed when, in 1812, the United States of America found itself engulfed in a new war with Great Britain.
