The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-12-10
[Vol, 25-,


in by the different brapehes Of the Fed
eral Government, w DGton upon the
treaty was required, .ft6na Sincere desirs
to avoid further COLLISION upon thisold and
disturbing subjec. ~andkin 4hc coA ent
expectation that the general relations be-
tween the two oepptries would bcipprov-
cd thereby.
The refusal to v0Ve;dae appropriation,
the news of which was received from our
Minister in Paris, about the 18th day Of
May last, might have been considered the
final determination of the French govern
ment not to execute the stipulations ofthe
treaty, and would have justified an i'm
mediate communication of the facts to
Congress, with recommended on o. 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 APP
propriation, were conveyed the regrets of
the King, and declaration that nation
al vessel should be forthwith sent out,
with instructions to the French Minister
to give the most ample explanations Of
the past, and the strongest assurances Tor
the future. After a long passage the
promised despatched vessel arrived. The
pledges given by the French Minister
upon receipt of his instructions, were that
as soon after the election ofthe new men,
bers as the charter would permit, the
Legislative Chambers of France should be
called together, and the proprosition for
an appropriation laid before them that
all the constitutional powers OF the hlng
and his Cabinet should be exerted to ac-
complish the object and that the result
should be made known early enoughto
be communicated to Congress at the COM
menccmcnt of the present session. Re
lying upon these pledges, and not doubt
ing that the acknowledged justice our
claims, the promised exertions of the King
and his Cabinet, and, above all, that sa.
cred regard for the national faith and
honor for which the French character has
been so distinguished, would secure an
early execution of the treaty in all its
parts, did not deem it necessary to call
the attention of Congress to the subject
at the last session.
regret to say, that the pledges made
through the Minister of France have not
been redeemed. The new Chambers
ed to in the speech from the throne, no
attempt was made by the King or his Ca
bnct to procure an appropriation to carry
il into execution. The reasons given for
this omission, although they might be
considered sufficient in an ordinary case,
are not consistent with the expectations
founded upon the assurances given here
for there is no constitutional obstacle to
entering into Legislative business at the
first meeting of the Chambers. ms
point, however, might have been over
looked had not the Chambers, instead oil
being called to meet at so early day, that
the result of their deliberations might be
commur icatcd to me, before the meeting
of Congress, been prorogued to the 29th
of the present month---a period 50 late
that their decision can scarcely be mado
known to the present Congress, prior to
its dissolution. 70 avoid this delay, our
Minister in Paris, in virtue ofthc assurance
piycn by the French Minister in the Uni-
ted States, strongly urged the convocation
Of the Chambers at an earlier day, but
without success. 1t is proper to remark.
however. that this re iilsal has been ac-
lcompanicd with the most positive assuran-
ces, ON the part of the Executive Govern
mcnt of France, of their intention to press
the appropriation at the ensuing session oi
the Chambers.
The executive branch Of this govern.
ment has, as matters stand, exhausted c.i
the authority upon the subject with which
il is invested, and which i! had any reason
TO believe could ho bcncicially employed.
/ The idea of acquicscing in the refusal
f TO execute the treaty will not, | am con-
fident. be for moment entertalnedby any
, branch of this government and iurthe'
!, negotiation is equally out OF the question
{ Ifit shall be the pleasure of Cengress'
: 10 await the further action OF the rrencf
Y Chambers, no further consideration OF the
l.. subject will, at this season, probably bt
: required at your hands. But if, from the
n original delay in asking for an aPPropria'
}. tion. from the refusal OF the Chambers Il
!, grant il when asked, from the omission
# 10 bring the subject before the Chambes'
j. at their last session, from the fact tAef
g including the session, there have been i'S'
C different occasions when the appropriahor
!, might have been made, and from the de
# law in convoking the Chambers until some
h weeks after the meeting OF Congress
y though well known that communlca'iol
q Of the whole subject to Congress at the
}. last session was prevented by assurance
C ,bo, !, should be disposed ofbefore its pre-
C sent meeting, you should feel yourselves
o constrained to doubt whether it be Tn,
O ;n,en,ion of the French Government in al