Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-16

which former events naturally gave rise
-concurred TO present this as fit peri
cd for renewing our endeavors to pro-
vide against the recurrence of causes of
irritation, which, i'll the event of war be-
tween Great Britain and any other pow
er, would inevitably endaDger our peace.
Animated by the sincerest desire to avoid
such state of things, and peacefully to
secure, under all possible circumstances
the rights and honor Of the country, |
have given such instructions to the Min
lister lately sent to the Court of London,
as will evince that desire and ifmet by
a correspondent disposition, which we
cannot doubt, will put an end to causes of
collision, which, without advantage to
either, tend to estrange from each other,
two nations who have. every motive to
preserve, not only peace, but an inter-
course of the most amicable nature.
In my Message at the opening of the
last session of Congress, expressed a
confident hope that the justice of our
claims upon France, urged as they were
with perseverance and signal ability by
our Minister there, would finally be ac-
neutrality-suspicious. hope has been real
lied. A Treaty has been signed which
will Immediately be laid before the SEN
ate for Its appreciation and which con-
tanning stipulations that require Legisla-
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,
under all circumstances, be deemed sat
isfactory by those interested. The offer
ola gross sum, instead of the satisfaction
of each individual claim, was accepted,
because the only alternatives were a ri
gorous eXaction of the whole amount
stated to be due on each claim, which
might, lii some instances, be eXaggerat-
ed by design, in others overrated through
error, and which therefore it would
have been both ungracious and unjust to
have insisted on, or settlement by a
mixed commission, to which the French
negotiators w ere very averse, and which
experience in other cases had shewn to
be dilatory, and often wholly inadequate
to the end. A comparatively small sum
is stipulated on our part, to go to the ex-
tinction of all claims by French citizens
on our Government and deduction OF
duties on our Cotton and their Wines
has been agreed on, as consideration fol-
| the renuciation of an important claim fol
commercial privileges, under the con-
structlon they gave to the Treaty for the
cession of Louisiana.
Should this Treaty receive the proper
sanction, source of irritation will be
stopped, that has for so many wears, in
some degree alienated from each other,
two nations, who from interest, as well
as the remembrance of early associa-
tons, ought to cherish the most friendly
relations, an encouragement will be
given for perseverance in the demands
OF justice, by this new proof, that, if
steadily pursued, they will be listened to
and admontion will be offered to those
Powers, if any, which may be inclined
to evade them. that they will never be
abandoned. Above all, a just confidence
will be inspired in our fellow citizens,
that their Government will exert all the
powers with which they have invested
1t, In support of their just claims upon
Foreign nations at the same time that
the frank acknowledgment and provi-
sion for the payment of those which
were addressed to our equity, although
unsupported by legal proof, affords a
practical illustration ofour submission to
the divine rule of doing to others what
we desire they should do unto us.
Sweden and Denmark having made
compensation for the irregularities com
mitted by their vessels, or in their ports,
to the perfect satisfaction of the parties
concerned; 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 pro-
scouting lawful commerce, and sold
them and their cargoes and at one time,
to our demands for restoration and in
demnlty, opposed the allegation, that
they were taken in the violation of a
blockade of all the ports Of those States.
This blockade was decIoratory only, and
Tho InnI pIi1Inrt. Il IL. e.. l.