Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-10-30

THE FRENCH INDEMNITY.
ID. C. Sent. "a. IA3A

" AZ ~ oSPts 49, t00S.
To the Editor Of The ~. Y. Courier:
II will be remembered by you. IL not by
your readers, that during the month OF
May last, The President was furious agains,
the French government for their non com
pliance with the treaty thai they negotiat-
ed with Us in 1881. Every body knows that
they refused TO pay the bill which the
Treasury Department drew upon them.
aud sold 70 the hank Of The United States
In my letters ofthe Ith and 18th of NAV,
| gave you the details on this subject and
expressed doubts as TO the final adjust
ment Of this affair, without there was on
the part Of our Government, change OF
the whole character Of the negotiation
| commended that the French Chamber had
the right, as well as the po,esr, to refuse
the appropriation, and that the French
Ministry had not only informed Mr.. tives
OF this fact, but had expressed their ap
prehensions that the Chambers would not
supply the money. The plain truth is,
and It ought not TO be disguised from the
people, the whole negotiation was a piece
of qiackery, intended for electioneering
purposes. The treaty was. on our part. a
bad treaty. and yet for the purpose Of
lauding the diplomacy CT our Executive,
not only the American, but the French
people, and their functionaries, have been
made to believe that we overreached them,
and now they refuse to fulfil the arrange
ment.
| In my letter Of the 18th Of May, 1884,
! said" Hopes are entertained here. that
matters may be adjusted. It may be so
k..t II .x.t IL 81
And, after the lapse Of nearly months,
what are the prospects ? regret to reply
very unpropitious have great reason
to believe, that recent despatche. from
France are Of a most unfavorable charac.
ter. II is said that the King gave MIR.
Livingston, pesonally, the strongest assu-
rance that The necessary appropriations
would be made, as soon as the Chambers
convened. The election had terminated
in manner that seemed to justify the as
surauce. The advices which have been
received from our minister in France, it
is said, contain the unpleasant tidings that
Dupin and the ministry when applied TO
on the subject. actually refused TO take
any step and declared themselves totally
opposed TO fulfilment Of the treaty oil
1881. fear these runners are well found
ed, and that our merchants have nothing
10 hope until Congress shall deem it ex.
pedient and proper to adopt some meas
ures having bearing on the case The
probability is, that we are much worse
situated, 10 reference to our affairs with
France, than il no treaty had been nego
tlated.
What adds greatly TO the Notifying
position 10 which Gen Jackson has placed
US with the French Government is. tina
Mr.. Rives' vauntings ABOUT the treaty has
destroyed all confidence IN our admins
tration, as high minded and HONORABLE,
men; while the usuIpation Of power, AM
the distracted state OF our domestic con
Gems, has led the Pafisians to believe tina
our MON is on the verge OF dissolution
and therefore. they laugh to scorn the 'de'
Of our taking coercive steps to compe
them TO do US justice.
IHE SPIT IN WASHINGTON.