South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1834-12-13


nal action Of the French Chambers up.
on the bill to carry the treaty into ef-
feet, wss obtained, and resulted 10 a
refusal ofthe necessary appropriations.
The avowed grounds upon which the
bill was rejected, are to be found in the
published debates Of that body, and no
observations of n,ine can be necessary
to satisfy Congress Of their utter insult
fcieney. Although the gross amount
Of the claims of our citizens is proba-
ely s-sa.sr sb." VII be ultimately al.
lowed by the Commissioners, sufficient.
Is, nevertheless, shown, to reader ii
absolutely certain that the indemnity
falls far short Of the actual amount Of
our just claims, independently of the
question Of damages and interest for
the detention. That the settlement in.
volved a sacrifice in this respect was
well known a, the time-a sacrifice
which was cheerfulIy acquiesced in by
the different branches of the Federal
Government, whose action upon the
treaty was required, from sincere de-
sire to avid further collision upon this
old and disturbing subject, and in the
confident expectation thar the general
relations between the two countries
would be improved thereby.
The refusal to vote the appropria.
ton, she 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 government not TO execute
the stipulations of the treaty, and
would have justified an immediate com.
munica,ion Of the facts to Congress,
with Recommendation of such uIti.
mate measures as the interest and hon.
our Of the United States might seem to
require. But with the news Of the re.
fusal Of the Chambers 10 make the ap.
preparation, were conveyed the regrets
Of the King, and a declaration that q
national vessel should be forthwith sent
out, with instructions to the French
Minister to give the most ample ex-
plantations Of the past, and the strong.
est assurances for the future. After a
long passage the promised despatch
vessel arrived. The pledges given BY
by the French Minister, upon receip,
Of his Instructions, were, that as soon
after the election Of The new members
as the charter would permit, the Iegis.
lative Chambers OF France should be
called together, and the proposition for
an appropriation laid before them that
all the constitutional powers of the
King and his Cabinet should be exer.
ted to accomplish the object; and tina,
the result should be made known early
enough to be communicated to Con-
gress at the commencement of the pres
ent session. Relying upon these pledg.
es, and not doubling that the acknowl.
edged justice Of our claims, the prom.
ised exertions ofthe King and his Cab
met, and above all, that sacred regard
for the nation.l faith and honour for
which the French character has been
so distinguished, would secure an early
execution Of the treaty in all its paris,
did not deem it necessary to call the
attention Of Congress to the subject at
the last session.
Iregret to say THAI the pledges nrade
through the minister Of France have
not been redeemed. The new Cham.
bers met on the 3lst Of July last, and
although the subject Of fulfilling uea.
ties was alluded tn in the speech from
the throne, no attempt was made by
the King or his Cabinet TO procure an
appropriation to carry it into exeeu-
ton. The reasons given for this omis-
sion, although they might be consider
ed sufficient 10 an ordinary case, are
not consistent with the expecta tons
founded upon the assurances given here,
! for there is no constitutional OBSTACLE
to entering into legislative business al,
the first meeting osthe chambers. This
point, however. might have been over.
looked, had not the Chambers, instead
Of being called to meet at SO early day
that the result of their deliberations
might be communicated to me, before
the meeting of Congress, been pro-
roguedt to the 29sh Of the present month
IA period so late that their decision
can scarcely be made known to the
present Congress prior to its dissola-
ton. To avoid this delay, our minis
ter In Paris, 10 virtue Of the assurance
given by the French minister in the
United States, strongly urged the coa-
vocation Of The Chambers at an earlieE
day, but without success. II is prop
er to remark, however, that this refu-
sal has been accompanied with the