Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-06
S.GTURD.g ",


Colombia rendering il, in my judgment, improper long
or To delay this step
Our Representatives to Central America Peru, and
Brazil are either at or ON their way In their resnccv
posts.
From the Argentine Republic, from which Minister
was expected to this Government, nothing further has
Deeh heard Occasion has been taken the departure
OF new Consul to Bucnos Ayres, {, remind that Co
vernmen that its long delayed Minister whose appoint
ment had been made known to us, had not arrived.
becomes my unpleasant duty to inform yor that this
pacihc and highly gratifying picture of foreign rcln
ons, does not inclnde those with France this time.
III Is not impossible that any Government and People
could be more sincerely DESTROYS of conciatng Just
and friendly intercourse with another nation than are
those of the United States with their ancient ally and
friend This disposition is founded well on the most
grateful and honorable recoccton associated with
struggle Tor Independence upon elgrounded con-
vico that it is with the policy of both
The People of the United States could not, therefore,
see without the deepest regret temporary inter-
ruPtion OF the friendly relations between the
uies-a regret which would, am sure be greatly n.y.
gravated If there should be any reasonable
ground for attrbuting such result any of oms-
SION or commission part derive, therefore, the
highest satisfaction from being able assure YOU that
the whole course of this Government has been character
ized by spirit conciaory and orbcarng, make
IL impossible that justice and moderation should be
questioned, whatever may be the consequences Of long
or the part of the French Government
items.
The history of the accumulated and unprovoked ag-
grcssions upon our commerce. committed by authority
OF the existing Governments of France, between the
years $500 and 1917, has been rendered painfully
iar to Americans to make its repetition either
sary desirable. 1t will be sufficient here TO remark
that there has, for many years. been scarcely single adj
minlstration of the French Government by whom the
justice and legality of the claims of citizens to in
demnity were not, to very considerable cxtcnt admit
ted and yet quarter of century has been wasted
In Intellectual negotiations to- secure it,
Deeply sensible of the injurious effects resulting from
tins state of things upon the interests and character of
both nations regarded il among first duties TO
cause one effort to be made to satisfy France that
Just and liberal settlement to claims $ well
due to her honor their inconestble validity
The negotiation for this purpose commenced with
the late Government of France and was with
such success to leave reasonable ground To doubt,
that settlement of character quite liberal that
which was subsequently made would have been effect
ed had not the revolution, by which the negotiation
was cut off, taken place. The discussions resumed
with the present government, and the result showed,
That we were not wrong in supposng, that event
oy whlch the TWO governments made TO approach
each other much in their political principles,
and by which the motives for the liberal and
friendly intercourse greatly multiplied coutd ex-
crease no otehr than salutary influence upon the ncgo
uaon After the most deliberate and thorough exaini
nation OF the whole subject treaty between the two Co
vernments, was concluded and signed at Paris the
9TH OF July, 1881, by which it stipulated that the
French Government in order TO lbcrate itself from all
the ecamaons preferred Against Thy citizens ofthe u
- Tor unlawful seizures captures sequesratons, cons
cations or destruction of their vessels cargocs other
property engages to pay sum of twenty five millions of
francs to the u 81 who shall distribute it among those
entitled in the and according the rules it shall
determine and il also stipulated the part of the
French Government that this twenty five millions of
francs should be paid Paris SIX annual instruments
OF four millions hundred and sixty-six thousand six
hundred and sixty-six francs and sixty-six confines
each into the hands of such person persons shall
be authorized by the Government of the United States
to receive It, The first instanent to be paid sat the
expiration OF one year next following the exchange of
the ratcatons of this Convention, and the others
successive intervals of year. after another till the
whole shall be paid To the amount of each of the said
instruments shall be added interest four per centum
thercupon, upon the other instruments then remaining
unpaid the said interest TO be computed from the day
The exchange of the present Convention.
ln!aAO
Tor the purpose of being completely liberated from all
the rcclamatons presented by France behalf of its
citizens, that the of million five hundred thou
sand francs should be paid TO tie Government of France
in six annual instruments to be deducted of the
nua sums which France had agreed to pay, interest
thereupon being In like manner computed from the day
OF the exchange of the Publications. In addition this
stipulation important advantages secured to France
by the following article, viz The wines of France
from and after the exchange of the notifications of the
present Convention shall be admitted to consumption
tue States of the Union duties which shall not exceed
the following rates by the gallon such used at
present for wines in the United Sates wit six
for Ted wines in casks; ten for white wines in
casks; and twenty-five cents for wines of all sorts in
bottles The proportions existing between the duties
French wines thus reduced and the general of the
tariff which went into operation the first january 1929
shall be maintained the Government of the Uni.
ted States should think proper TO diminish those general
rates in tariff
In consideration of this stipulation, which shall be
binding the United States for years. the French
Government abandonS the reclnmations which it had
formed in relation to the 9Th article of the treaty of ceJ
SION OF LOUISIANA 1t engages to establish
the long staple coons of the Jpted States which, after
the exchange of the Publications Of the present Conven
venon, shall be brought directly thence France by
the vessels of the United States by French vessels
the same duties short staple cottons.'
This treaty duly ratified in the manner prescribed
by the constitutions OF both countries and the raca-
ton exchanged at the City of Washington on the
I'd of February 1882. On account Of its commercial
stpulations it was, in five days thereafter laid before
the Congress Of the United States which proceeded to
enact such laws favorable to the of France as
were necessary TO carry into full execution and France
has, from that period 20 the present, been in the
unrestricted enjoyment of the valuable privileges that
were thus secured to her. The faith of thc French
nation having been thus sOlcmny pledged through its
constitutional organ for the liquidation and ultimate pay
men of the long deferred claims of citizens also
Tor the adjustment OF other points Of great and rccip
rocal benefits to both countries and the United States
having, with fidelity and promptiiude by which
their conduct viii, trust be always characterized. done
every thing that necessary carry the treaty into
full and fair effect their part, counted with the most
perfect confidence equal fidelity and promptiiudc on
the part of the French Government In this reasonable
expectation we have been, regret TO inform YOU Who'll
" disappointed No Legislative provision has been made
by France for the execution Of the treaty either as il
respects the indemnity 10 be paid the commercial be-
lions between the United States and that power in con
scqncne thereof placed in situation threatening 10
interrupt the good understanding which has long and
so happily existed between the two nations
Not only has the French Government been thus
wanting in the performance Of the stpuations it has so
solcmnly entered into with the United States, but it's
omissions have been marked by circumstances which
would seem to leave without satisfactory evidences
That such performance will certainly take place at a flu
turc period Advice Of the exchange OF ratihcations
reached Paris prior 10 the 9Th Of April 1s.}2 The
French Chambers then sitting and continued