The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-12-10
3a] NEWPORT, WEDNESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 10, 1884


shall not exceed the following rates by
the gallon, (such as il is used at present
for wines in the United States, ITO wit. six
cents for red wines in casks ten cents
for white wines in casks : and twenty
two cents for wines of all sorts in bottles.
The proportions existing between the
duties on French wines thus reduced, and
the general rates of the tariff which went
into operation theairst of January, 1929,
shall be maintained, in case the Govern
ment of the United States should think
proper to diminish those general rates in
new tariff.
In consideration of this stipulation,
which shall be binding on the United
States for ten years, the French Govern
ment abandons the reclamations which it
had formed in relation TO the Sth article
ofthe treaty of cession of Louisiana. 1t
engages. moreover, TO establish on the
long staple cottons of the United States,
which, after the exchange ofthe ratiica-
tons ofthe present Convention, shall be
brought directly thence to France by the
vessels of the United States, or by French
vessels, the same duties as on short staple
cottons.
This treaty was duly ratified in the
manner prescribed by the constitution of
both countries and the ratification was
exchanged at the city of Washington on
the I'd of Feb. 1882. On account of its
commercial stipulations il was, in five
days thereafter laid before the Congress
ofthe u. s. which proceeded TO enact
such laws favorable to the commerce Of
France as were necessary TO carry II into
full execution and France has, from that
period to the present, been in the unre-
strictcd enjoyment ofthc valuable privile-
ges that were thus secured to her. The
faith of the French nation having been
thus solemnly pledged, through its consti-
tuiional organ, for the liquidation and
ultimate payment of the long deferred
claims of our citizens, rs also for the ad-
Justment of other points Of great and rcci-
procal benefits to both countries, and the
U. s. having with a fidelity and prompti-
tude by which their conduct will, trust,
be always characterized, done every
thing that was necessary to carry the
treaty into full and fair effect OH their
part, counted with the most perfect con-
this reasonable expectation we nave Been,
regret to inform you, wholly disappoln-
ted. No Legislative provision has been
made by France for the execution OF the
treaty, either as il respects the indemnity
to be paid, or the commercial benefits TO
be secured to the U. s. and the relations
between the u. s. and that power, III
consequence thereof, are placed IN stu.
alton threatening to interrupt the good
understanding which has so long and SO
happily existed between the two nations
Not only has the French government
been thus wanting in the performance OF
the stipulations il has solemnly entered
into with the U. s. but its omissions have
been marked by circumstances which
would seem TO leave us without satsiacto-
ry evidences. that such performance wii'
certainly take place at future PERIOD
Advice of the exchange oi ratiiications
reached Paris prior to the oth oil hpri''
1889. The French Chambers were
then sitting and continued in session until
the DIST ofthat month, aud although one
instrument ofthc indemnity was pay abie
ON the I'd of Feb. 1888, one year after the
, exchange frati6cations, no application
was made TO the Chambers for the requir'
ed appropriation, and in consequence ol
no appropriation having then been made
the draft ofthe U. s. Government for tina
;nstalment was dishonored by the Minis
ter of Finance, and the u. 5. thereby IN
/ volved in much controversy. Inc mex
, session of the Chambers commenced OF
the 10Th of November, 1882, and con,in
! ued until the 25th April, 1888. Notwlth
, standing the omissions to pay the mrs
q instalment, had been made the subject o
4 earnest remonstrance on our part, the trea
r ty with the u. s. and a bill making tn
+. necessary appropriations to execu'e j
A were not laid before the Chambers O
h Deputies until the the 9th OF April, near
4 " five months after its meeting, and oni
9 10 davs before the close Of the session
o The bill was read and referred to CON
4 mittee, but there was no iurther acno
8 upon il. The next session OF the Chan
!. bers commenced on the 26th OF Apn
r 1888, and continued until the 10Th {
o June following. A new bill was nitro
= duced ON the IIth of June, but nothin
n ;mportant in relation was done during tn
= session. In the month of April, ls3+
|, nearly three years after the signature
!. the treaty, the final action of the Frcnc
Chambers upon the bill to cary the treat
: into effect was obtained, and resulted IN
u refusal of the necessary appropriation
9 The avowed grounds upon which IN
g e bill was rejected, are to DO found IN IN
y published debates Of that body, and
u observations of mine can be necessary