The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-01-11
DEPARTMENT OF STATE. D

DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington, 18th august, 1884.
The Count de Menou, Charge Of Affairs
from France.
SIR: Your letter Of the nth of last
month has been submitted to the consider
alton of the President of the United States,
by whom an, directed 10 express the high
satisfaction that he has felt AT the manner
in " hich his excellency the Viscount de
Chatcaubriand has noticed, in his CORES
pOndencc with you, the temporary alb
sence of Mr.. GaIlalin from France, and
the terms Of re gard and esteem with which
he hotices the chararter aud conduct of
that Minister. The anxious desire of the
President for the promotion of the good
understanding between the United States
and France, could not he more gratiiird
than by the testimonial of His Most Chris
tan Majcsty's Government, 10 the good
faith and ability with which the Minister
Of the United Ststcs nj his Court has per-
formed his official duties.
With regard to the assurance Of his tx
collcncy the Niscount lie Chateaubrand' ;
disposition To enter upon negotiation
with Mr.. Gallatln, in the event of his re
turn to France, orNith Mr.. Sheldon, dur
ing hls absence, concerning the claims of
citizens or the Toitrd States on the go
vornmeht of Fraucc, in connection with
an arrangement concei ming the 9th ar
lice of the Louisiana Treaty, | am direct
cd to observe that those subjects rest upon
grounds So totally different, that the govern
ment of the United States cannot consent
to connect them together in negotiation.
The claims the citizens of the u. S.
upon the French government have been
Of many years standing. Often represent
ed by successive ministers of the United
States, and particularly by Mr.. Gallatin,
during residence of seven years, with Il
perspicnity of statement, and force Of
evidence, which could leave to the govern
ment of the United States no desire bnt
that they should have been received with
friendly attention, and no regret but that
they should have proved Intellectual. The
justice of these claGls has never been denied
by France, and while the United States
are stll compelled to wait for their adjust
ment, similar, and less forcible claims, Of
the subjects Of other nations, nave been
freely admitted and lquidated
\ long and protfaCtcd discussion has al
ready taken place between the two govern
ments, in relation to the claim of France,
under the eight article of the Louisiana
Convention the result Of winch has been
thorough conviction, on the part of the
American government, that the claim has
no foundation in the treaty, whatever. The
reasons for this conviction have been so
fully set forth in the discussion, that it was
not anticipated further examination Of il
would be thought desirable. As "A subject
of discussion, however, the American go
'einment are willing u resume il heneter
1t may suit the views Of France to present
further considerations relating to it but,
while convinced that the claim is entirely
"ilhfut fnundaiionr they cannot place it
90 fnoting Of concurrent negotiation,
with claims of their citizens, the justice of
which is 81 unequivocal, that they have
not even been made the subject of DENIAL.
From the attention which his excelle ncy
the Viscnunt dc Cheteau5riand has in
timatcd his willingness to give to the con