Litchfield enquirer., 1834-12-11

obscUred and inc support rendered to Us in final sort to more decisive will be more limited and equivoca There is but one point n the conIro nrOnouRce France be n the wrong. We insist that she shall pay sum of money, which she has acc knowedged to be dne and of the justice of th's de- mand, there can be but opinion among mankind. True policy dictate that the question at issue should be kept thus diseNcumbered and that no' the pretence should be given to France Co persist a her refusal make payment by act on our part affecting the interests of her people. The question should Le left as M is now in such an attitude that when France fu6Is her treaty sIpuations, all conrO- Versy will be at an end.
 II is my conviction that the United States ought insist prompt execution of the treaty. and iM case it be refused longer delayed take redress into their own hands. Alter the delay on the part ot France Oi a quarter of century in acknowledging these claims by treaty, 1t is be tolerated that another quarter of a century is to be wasted in negotiating about the payment. The laws of nations provide remedy for such occasions. lis well settled principle o the inc ter national code, that where nation owes anOh- liqudated debt which ii refuses neglects to pay the aggreved party may seize the property belonging the Other its citizens, subjects suirieni to pay the debt, without giving just cause of This remedy has been repeatedly rPs0rIed to, and recently by France herself, towards Portugal, under circumstan- e~s less unquestioUable.
 The time at which resort should he had 10 this or any other mode of redress is point 10 he decided by Congress. Han appropriation should no, be made by the Preach Chambers al their next session, u may ins,ly be concluded that the Government of France has finally determined disregard it's own solemn un- deriakng, and refuse to pay an acknowledged debt' In that every days delay on our part will be
 justice injured citizens. Prompt measures, when ihe refusal of France shall be complete, will not only he most honorable and just but will have the best ei feet upon national character.
 Since France, in violation of the pledges given through her Minister here, has delayed her 6nal ac sion long that her decision will not probably be recommend that law be passed, authorizing reprisas upon French property, in case provs on shall not be
 made for the payment of the deb at the approaching session of the French Chambers. Such measure ought not be considered by France n menace.- Her pride and power too we'll known to expect any thing from her fears, and preclude the necessity of declaration that nothing pariaking of the charac- ter of intimidation is intended by us. She ought to look upon it the evidence only of an n1exibe de- iermnation the part of the United States to insist on their rights. That Government, by doing only spare the United States the necessity o ing re- dress in their own hands, and save the property Of French citizens from that seizure aud seqnesraon which American citizens so long endured without re- taiiaton or redress If she should continue 10 refuse tina, act of acknowledged justce and in yioatio" of be law of naens, make reprsals Q" our part the oc- casion of hosities against the United States, she would but add violence injustice, and could not fail to expose herself 10 the just censure of civilized na- lions and the retributive Judgments of Heaven.
 Collision with France is the more 10 be regretted, on account of the position she occupies in Europe in relation 10 liberal institutions. But tn maintaining our national rights and honor all Governments are alike 1O ll Oy collision ~lln traOce, D a Case WnSfe she is clearly in the wrong, the march oflibera prn- ciples shall be impeded the responsibility for that sul well every other, will rest OH her own head
 Having submitted these considerations il belongs 10 Congress to decide, whether, after what has taken place, H will still await the further action of the French Chambers, adopt such provisional measures as n may deem necessary and best adapted o protect the rights and maintain the honor Oi the country. bai- that decision may be, it will be faithfully enforce ed by the Executive far he is authorized u.
 According to the estimate Of the Treasury Depart nl the present year. will amount to $20 06247l7, which with the balance remai"ing in the Treasury on the
 first of January last. ot $ll 7O2 eO5. produces az grega,e Of S32 327 623. The total exe ndure during the year for all objects, including the public deb is estimated at $25. .59l ,39O which will leave balance
 n the Treasury on the first of Ja"uary, 1885, of $6 736, 232. In this balance, however, will he included about $l,l5o,ooO of wha, heretofore reported by the Department as not effective.
 or former appropriations it is estimated that there will remain unexpended at the close of the year $8, 002, ,925. aud of this there will not he required more than $5, 964, to accomplish the objects "fa the current appropriations. Thus it appears that al ter satisfying all those appropriaons and afler dis, charging the last item ofOur public deht which will be done the first of January next, there will remain unexpended in the Treasury an effective balance of a bout $440000. That such should be the aspect of our finances is highly aitering to the NdMslry and ener prize of our population and suspicious of the wealth and prosperity which await the future cultivation of their growing resources. i is not deemed prudent however, to recommend any change for the present m impos rates the effect o the gradual reduction now m progress in many of them, not being sufficient
 y tes,ed 10 guide in determining the precise amou of revenue which they will produce.
 Free from public debi at peace with all the world, and with complicated interests 10 consult in n tercourse with foreign powers, the present may be hailed as that epoch in our history the most favorable for the settlement of those principles in domestic policy, which shall be best calculated to give stability to our Republic aad secure the blessings of freedom p our citizens. Among these principles from past experience, it cannot be donbted that simplicity in he character of the Federal Government, and a rigid economy in its administration should be regarded as Fundamental and sacred All must be sensible that the existence of the public deb by rendering taxation necessary for its extinguis.ment, has increased the Ot the taxing power; and that t was, in this respec a remote agent in producing those disturbing ques- lions which grow out o the discussions relating to the tariH Ifsttch has been the tendency of deba incur- red tn the acquisition and maintenance ofour national rights and liberties the obligations of which all po.. tions of the Union cheerfIly acknowledged, t ust he obvious, that watever is calculated ncrease the burdens of Government without necessity, must be fatal to all our hopes of preserving it's true character.- While we are ieiiciiaDg ourselves, therefore upon the extnguishment of the national debt and the ros- porous state Of our finances, let be tempted to depart from those sound mRxims of public policy, which enj"in just adaptation of the revenue to the expenditures that consistent with rigid economy, and an entire abstinence from all topics of egislaon that are not clearly within the powers ofthe Government and suggested by the Q, of the every dimnuiion of tue public burdens arising frnm fMxaion, gives individual erpriAe pow CT, and furnishes to al the members of our happy Confederacs, motives for patriotic affection aud support. But above all, its most important effect will he found in iis influence upon the character of the a.