Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-06
DECE.tsBE1e 6, 1894.

mcetng and only nineteen before the close of the
session The bill was read and referred committee,
but there further action upon IT, The next ses-
SION o the Chambers commenced the 26th of April
S: and continued until the 2Gth of june following
new bill was introduced the llth of Juuc but nothing
important was done in relation to it during the session In
the month of April 1884, nearly years after the sigma
ture OF the treaty. the final action Of the French Cham
bers upon the bill to carry the treaty into effect,
obtained and resulted in refusal of the necessary APP
preparations The avowed grounds upon which the bill
was rejected are to be found in the published debates of
that body, and observations of can be nccessa
ry to satisfy Congress of their insuflicicncy. AL
though the gross amount of the claims of our citizens is
probably greater than will be ultimately allowed by the
commissioners, sufficient is nevertheless shown To
der 1t absolutely certain that the indemnity falls far
snort OF the actual amount of just claims ndepcnd
emily OF the question of damages and interest for the
detention That the settlement involved a sacrifice in
TINS respect was well known at, the tmca sacrifice
winch was cheerfully acqnicsced in by the different
branches OF the Federal Government whose action upon
urther collision upon this old and disturbing subject
and IN the confident expectation tlt the general rca-
ions between the two countries would Be improved
thereby.
The refusal to vote the appropriations the news of
which was received from Minister in Paris about the
ioth day OF May last might have been considered the fl
nal determination of the French government
cute the stpuatons of the treaty. and would have iusti-
ned an immediate communication of the facts to Com
gross with recommendation of such ultimate measures
as the interest and honor of the United States might
seem TO require. But with the news of the refusal of
the Chambers to make the appropriation conveyed
the regrets OF the King, and declaration that national
vessel should be forthwith out with instructions
the French Minister TO give the ample explanations
OF the past and the strongest for the future
After long passage the promised despatch vessel arrv-
ed The pledges given by the French Minister upon
inc receipt OF ms Instructions were, that after
the election OF the new members the charter would
permit the legislative Chambers of France should be
called together, and the proposition for an appropriation
ald before them; that all the constitutional powers of the
King and his Cabinet should be exertcd the
object and that the result should made known early
enough 10 De communicated to Congress at the COM
mcncemen OF the present session Relying upon these
pledges and not doubling that the acknowledged Justice
OF our claims the promised exertons of the King his
cabinet and above ALL that sacred regard for the nation
al faith and honor for which the French character has
been so distinguished, would early execution
of the treaty in all its parts did not deem necessary to
call the attention of Congress TO the subject the last
session.
regret to say that the pledges made through the min
lister OF France have not been redeemed The new
chambers met the 3lst July last, and although the
subject of fulfilling treaties alluded the speech
from the throne, no attempt made by the King or
ms cabinet to procure an appropriation TO carry
execution. The gwen for this omission al
though they might be considered sufficient in an ordna-
ry not consistent with the expectations founded
upon the given here for there is no constitu
onal obstacle to entering into legislative business at the
first meeting of the chambers This point however
might have been overlooked had the chambers in
stead OF being called to meet at early day that the
result of their deliberations might be communicated to
me- before the meeting of Congress- been prorogucd to
the 2Oh OF the present period late that their
decision scarcely be made known the present Con-
gress PRIOR to its dissolution To avoid this delay our
Minister Paris of the ryen y the
French Minister iii the United States strongly urged the
cmVocation Of the Chambers earlier day but with
out success 1t is proper remark however that this
refusal has been accompanied with the most positive as
snrances on the part Of the Executive Government of
France of their intention press the approximation at
the ensuing session of the Chambers.
The Executive branch of this government has as
matters stand exhausted all the authority upon the sub
cct with which tits invested and which ii had any rea
son to believe could be bencfciay employed
The idea of acquescing in the refusal execute the
treaty VIII not am confident, be for moment enter
tanned by any branch OF this government; and further
negotiation is equally out of the question.
IL 1t shall be the pleasure of Congress await the
further action OF the French Chambers no further con-
sderaon of the subject will this session. probably be
required at your hands. But if from the original DELAY
IN asking for an appropriation from the refusal of the
Chambers To grant II when asked from the omission TO
bring the subject before the Chambers at their last sos
sion, from the fact that including that session there
have been five different occasions when the appropra-
ton might have been made, and from the delay in con-
voking the Chambers until weeks after the meet
ing OF Congress, when it well known that a com
ulcaton OF the whole subject to Congress the last
session, was prevented by that it should be
disposed oil before its present meeting you should feel
yourselves constrained doubt whether If be the inen
ton OF the French Government in all its branches TO
carry the treaty into effect and think that such measures
as the occasion may be deemed to call for should be now
adopted the important question arises what those
shall be.
Our institutions essentially pacific Peace and
friendly intercourse with ali nations are as much the
desire oil our Government they the interest of
PEOPLE. But these objects not to be permanently
secured by snrrendcrng the rights of citizens
permitting solemn treaties for their indemnity in cases of
fagrant wrong, to be abrogatcd or set aside.
1t is undoubtedly in the power Of Congress seriously
TO affect the agricultural and manufacturing interests Of
France by the passage of laws relating her trade with
the United States. Her products, manufactures, and
tonnage may be subjected to heavy duties in our ports
or all commercial intercourse with her may be suspend
ed But there arc powerful, and, to my mind concu-
sive objections TO this mode of proceeding. We can
not ebarrass cut off the trade of France without at
inc same tiie, III some degree embarrassing cutting
on our own trade The injury of such IA warfare must
ial, though uncqually, upon citizens and could
not but impair the of the Government. and
in f,f .ri,fa
and honor of the nation which must now peryadc eve
ry bosom. Nor is il impossible that such course of
legislation would introduce more into cur ma
uona councils, those disturbing questions in relation 10
the tariff OF duties which have Lccn recently put 20
rest Besides, by every adopted by the Go
ycrnmcnt Of the United S1tes with tile view of iniur-
ing France the clear perception Of right which will in
duce our people, and the rulers and people OF all
other nations OF France herself pronounce our
quarrel just will be obscurcd and the support rendered
to us IN hnal resort to decisive measures viii be
more limited and cquivocal. There is but one point i'm
the controversy and upon that the whole civilized world
must pronounce France to be in the wrong We insist
lhat shc shall pay us Of money, which she los
khowedgcd to be due; and of the justice Of this demand
ihcrc can be but one opinion among mankind 1rue po
hey would seem To dictate tia the question at issue
should be kept thus dscncumbcred and that not the
slightest Prccnce should be given to France persist in
her refusal to make payment by any act part az
iectng the interests Of her people The question should
be left as 1t is in such attitude that when France
iulhs her treaty stpulatons, all controversy will be at
an end.
sist on prompt execution Of the treaty; and in case
be refused or longer delayed take redress into their
hands After the delay the part Of France of quar-
ter OF acentury In acknowledging these claims by trea