The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-11-29


French wines thus reduced, and the general rates
of the tariff which went into operation the frstI
of January, 1929, shall be maintained, in the
government 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 Government abandons the reclamations |
which il had formed in relation to the 9Th article
of the treaty of cession of Louisiana. 1t engages
moreover to establish on the long staple cottons
of the United States, which, after the exchange
of the rati6cations of the present Convention,
shall be brought directly thence to France by the
vessels of the United States, or by French yes.
sells, the same duties as on sh0rt stapte cottons.
This treaty was duly ratified in the manner
prescribed by the constitutions of both countries
and the ratification was exchanged ut the city OF
Washington on the Cd of February, 1889. On
account of its CONNIE rcal stipuations 1t was, in
five days thereafter laid before the Congress Of
the United States which proceeded to enact such
laws favorable to tho commerce Of France as
were necessary to carry it into full execution
and france has, from that period to the present,
been in the unrestricted enjoyment of the valu-
able privileges that were thus secured to her
The faith Of the French nation having been thus
sole mnly pledged through its constitutional organ,
for the liquidation and u!timate payment of the
long deferred claims of our citizens, as also for
| the adjustment of other points OF great and re-
ciprocal benefits to both countries,rnd the Unit
| ed States having with fidelity and promptitude
| by which their conduct will ] trust, be always
| characterized, done every thing that was neces-
sary to carry the treaty into full and fair effect
on their part counted with the most perfect con-
| fidence, on equal fidelity and promptitude on the
| part of the French Government. In this reason
able expectation we have been, | regret to in
form you, wholly disappointed. No legislative
provision has been made by France for the ex-
/ a Al tha in
demnity to be paid, or the commercial benefits
to be secured to the United States, and the rela-
| tions between the United States and that power,
in consequence thereof, are placed in situation
threatening to interrupt the good understanding
which has so longand 50 happily existed between
| the two nations.
Not only has the French Government been
wanting in the performance of the stipu,ations it
has so soleinnly entered into with the U. States,
but its omissions have been marked by circum-
stances which would seem to leave US without
satisfactory evidence that such performance will
certainly take place at future period. Advice
of the exchange of ratifcatons reached Paris
prior to the Sth Of April, 1882. The French
| Chambers were then sitting, and continued in
session until the 2lst of the month, and although
one instament of the indemnity was payable on
the I'd of February, lS33 one year after the ex
change Of ratifications, no application was made
to the Chambers for the required appropriation
and in consequence Of no appropriation having
, then been made, the draft of the u States Gov.
ernment for that insalment was dishonored by
the Minister of Finance, and the U. States there
by involved in much controversy. The next
session of the Chambers commenced on the 18th
Of November, 1882 and continued until the Goth
, April, 1888 Notwithstanding the omission to
, pay the first instament had been made the sub
: ject of earnest remonstrance on our part, the
. treaty with the u. States, and bill making TIT
necessary appropriations to execute it, were no
I laid before the Chamber of Deputies until tn
9th of April, nearly five monSis after its meeting
: and only nineteen days before the close of th'
e session. The bill was read and referred to
r committee, but there was no further action upor
. il The next session of the Chambers commenced
on the Goth of April 1885, and continued until The
f Goth of Juue following. new bill was intro
duced on the llth ofJune, but nothing importan
was done in relation to il during the session. II
the month of April, 1884, nearly three years afle
the signature of the treaty, the final action of thu
French Chambers upon the bill to carry the trea
/. ty into effect was obtained, and resulted in
r refusal of the necessary appropriations. Th
:, avowed grounds upon which the bill was reject
n ed are to be found in the published debates @
4 that body, and 10 observations of mine can b
# necessary to satisfy Congress of their utter in
v sufiiciency Although the gross amount of tn
a claims of our citizens is probably greater tha
/ will be ultimately allowed by the Commission
l. it absolutely certain that the indemnity falls ia
$ short Of the actual amount of our just claims ir
S dependently Of the question Of damages and in
O terests for the detention. That the settlemer
Il involved sacrifice in this respect we
r known at the time-a sacrifice which was cheer
,. fully acquesced in by the different branches
= the Federal Government, whose action upon th
IS treaty was required, from sincere desire t
/. avoid further collision upon this old and disturb
ing subject, and in the confident expectation tn;
J. the general relations between the two countrie
d would be improved thereby.
Is The refusal TO vote the proDrat on the news
which received from our NJ MIST in Paris, abo,
!, the 18th day Of May last, might have Ell consde
: the final determination of the French govern
8 ment not 10 execute the spulauons Of the treat
Is and would have justified an immediate commun!ci
r ton OF Such ultimate measures the interest an
le honor OF the United States might seem 10 requr
>. But with the news Of the refusal of the Chambers
20 make the appropriation, were conveyed the regre
'e OF the king, and declaration that national vess
e should be forthwith sent out, with instructions
n the French Minister to give the most ample expl;
tons Of the iast, and the strongest assurances f
ID the future. Alter a long massage tho promised dt
II sL atch v,ss, arrived. The pledges gwen by ii
/, French minister, upon rece pt OF his instruction
:, wee, that as soon after the election OF the, me-
Is members the charter would permit the legslaii,
"a Chambers of France should be called together, an
s. the proposition for an appropr ton laid before then
g. that all the constitutional powers of the King an
his Cabinet should be exertrd to accomplish the ol
= ec and that the result should be made known ar
y ,nough to be communicated 10 Congress at tn
'e commencement of the present session. Rclyin
le upon these pledges, and not doubling that the az
l. knowedged jusce Of our claims, the promised c,
At crtions of the King and his Cabinet and, above al
IA that sacred regard for the national faith and hone
- for which the French character has been dstir
IL guished, would early execution of the rei
n ~ in all its parts Id not deem il necessary ca
attention Of Congress to the subject at the last
ls sion.
H. | regret TO say. that the pledges made through Il
TO Ministers oi France have not been redeemed. III
~ = new Chambers met on the 3lst July last and a
" though the subject Of fulfilling treaties alludt
IL % in the speech from the thronc no attempt W;
l. made by the King or his Cabinet 10 procure an al
le propraton To carry II into execution. The reasoI
id gwen for this omission, although they might be COZ
side red sufficient an ordinary case are not cons