The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-12-13
NEWPORT, TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER IS, 1891.

Grafton Of unfriendly prejudices to whict
former events naturally gave rise-con
Cured to present this as fit period 10
renewing our endeavors to provide a
gainst the recurrence of causes of irrita
tion, which, in the event of war betweeI
Great Britain and any other power, ,woult
inevitably endarger our peace. Ami
mated by the sincerest desire to avolC
such state of things, and peacefully tc
secure, under all possible circumstances
the rights and honor the country, i haas
given such instructions to the Minister
lately sent to the Court of London, as
will evince that desire; and if met by a
correspondent disposition, which we can
not doubt, will put an end to causes oi
collision, which, without advantage to Ell
ther, tend to estrange from each other
two nations who have every motive to
preserve, not only peace, but an inter
course of the most annie able nature.
In my Message at the opening of the
last session of Congress, l expressed a
confident hope that the justice of our
claims upon France, urged as they we're
with perseverance and signal ability by
our minister there, would finally be ac-
knowledged. This hope has been reali-
zed. A treaty has been signed which
will Immediately be laid before the Sen
ate for its approbation: and which, con-
tanning stIpulations that require Legisli-
tive acts, must have the concurrence Of
both houses before it can be carried into
effect BY it, the French Government
engage to pay a sum which, if not quite
equal to that which may be found due to
our citizens, will yet, it is believed, un-
der all circumstances, be deemed satis-
factory by those interested. The offer
of gross sum, instead of the satisfaction
of each individual claim, was accepted,
because the only alternatives were rig
orous exaction of the whole amount sta
ted to be due on each claim, which might,
In some instances be exaggerated by de-
sign, in others overrated' through error,
and which therefore it would have been
both ungracious and unjust to have insist
ed on, or settlement by mixed COM
mission, to which the French negotiators
were very ayerse. and which experience
and often wholly inadequate to the end.
A comparatively small sum is stipulated
on our part to go to the extinction of all
claims by French citizens on our Gov
eminent; and reduction of duties on
our Cotton and their Wines has been ID
greed on, as consideration for the re-
nunciation of an important claim for COM
mercial privileges, under the construc-
ton they gave to the Treaty for the ses-
sion of Louisiana.
Should this Treaty receive the proper
sanction, a source Of irritation will be
stopped, that has for so many years, in
some degree alienated from each other,
two nations, who from interest, las well as
the remembrance Of early associations
ought to cherish the most friendly rela-
tions-an encouragement will be given
for perseverance in the demands OF JUS
tice, by this new proof, that, if steadily
pursued, they will be listened to-and
admonition will be offered to those Pow
ers, if any, which may be inclined to c.
wade them, that they will never be aban-
doned. Above all, just confidence
will be inspired in our fellow-citizens, that
their Government will exert all the pow
ers with which they have invested it in
support of their Just claims upon Foreign
nations; at the same time that the frank
acknowledgement and provision for the
payment OF those which were addressed
to our equity, although unsupported by
legal proof, affords practical illustra-
ton of our submission to the divine rule
of doing to others what we desire they
should do unto US.
Sweden and Denmark having made
compe nsation for the irregularities COM
mitted by their vessels, or IN their ports, to
the perfect satisfaction ofthe parties con-
cerned; and having renewed the Treaties
of Commerce entered into with them, our
political and commercial relations with
those Powers continue to be on the most
friendly footing.
With Spain, our differences, up to the
22d of February, 1919, were settled by
the Treaty Of Washington, Of that date /,
but, at a subsequent period, our com.
merce with the states, formerly colonies
Of Spain, on the continent Of America,
was annoyed and frequently interrupted
by her public and private armed ships
They captured many Of our vessels pros
ecuting a lawful commerce, and sold
them and their cargoes; and, at one time,
to our demands for restoration, and in
demnity opposed the allegation, that they
were taken in the violation of a blockade
Of all the ports Of those states. This
blockade was declaratory only, and the
inadequacy Of the force to maintain it,
was so manifest, that this alleg gation was
varied to charge Of trade in contraband
of war. This, in its turn; was also found
untenable; and the minister whom