Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-01-04
CLAIMS on FRANCE.

| O4N Il INJtNSiT.-
| The w Washington Journal states that the cor
respondence communicated on Monday with Tia,
Presidents Message of the 23d inst. to the
1 House oil Representatives, concerning ou
claims upon France, discloses no ground of ex
| pectation more favourable TO speedy adjust
incnt Of these claims, than that communicated
during the last session, of Mr.. GALLATIN, with
the Ministers of that government.
The following letter, from Mr.. ADAMS to
Count de MENoJ, which is one of the papers
sent with the message, contains concise ex-
position OF the points upon which the govern
tnents are at variance:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, }
Washington, 18th August, 1923.
The CoUNT DE MENoU,
Charge P4fatres from France.
SIR-four letter of the I tin of last mouth
has been submitted to the consideration Of the
President of the nitei States, by whom am
directed TO express the high satisfaction that he
mas felt at the manner in which his cxcellcncy
the ViscouDt de Chateaubriand has noticed in
his correspondence with you, the temporary alb
sence of MIR. Gaatin from France, and the
terms of regard and esteem with which he no
tees the character and conduct of that Minister
The anxious desire of the President for the pro-
motion of the good unders LANDING between the
United States and France, could not be more
gratihed than by the testimonials of His Most
Christian Majesty's Government, 10 the good
faith and ability with which the Minister of the
United States at his Court has performed his of
fetal duties.
With regard to the assurance of his excellen-
cy the Fiscount de ChateaIbriand's disposition
10 enter upon negotiation with Mr.. Gallatn,
III the event OF his return TO France, with
Nir. Sheldon, during his absence, concerning
The claims of citizens of the United States on
the government of France, in connection with
an arrangement concerning the 9Th article of
the Louisiana Treaty, 1 am directed to observe
That those subjects rest upon grounds SO totally
different, that the government of the United
States cannot consent to connect them together
in negotiation.
The claims of the citizens of the U. s. upon
The French government have been of many
years standing. Often represented BY success
sive. ministers of the United States, and particu-
larly by Mr.. Gallatin, during residence of sc.
ven years, with perspcuity of statement, and
force of evidence, which could leave to the
government of the United States, no desire but
that they should have been received with friend
y attention, and no regret but that they should
have proved Intellectual. The justice of these
claims has never been denied by France, and
while the United States are still compelled to
wait for their adjustment similar, and less for
chile claims, of the subjects Of other nations,
have been freely admitted and liquidated.
taken place between the two governments, IT,
relation to the claim OF France, under the eight
article of the Louisiana Convention; the result
of which has been thorough conviction, on the
part OF the American government. tina; the clam
has no foundation lii The tlesty, whatever. The
! reasons for this Conviction nave been SO full,
SET forth in the discussions that il was not anti
cipated a further examination of it would be
thought desirable. As a subject of discussion,
however, the American government are willing
to resume it whenever it may suit the views OF
France to present further considerations relat-
ing to il; but while cOny inced that the claim is
entirely without foundation, they cannot place
IT on footing of concurrent negotiation. with
claims of their citizens; the justice of which is
SO unequivocal, that thcy have not even been
made the subject Of denial.
From the attention which bis Excellency the
Viscount de Chateaubriand has estimated his
willingness to give To the considcy,.t OF those
| claims, the President INDUCES the hope, that
they will b. taken INTO view upon thcIr owa
merits; and IN that llrpe, the Representative OF
the United -;st.a ~ Paris will, at an early dty,
he in,truc;gt T. present them again TO the On
divided and unconditional sense of justice of
France.
| | pray you, sir, TO accept the renewed assur-
ance of my distinguished consideration.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.