South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1834-12-13
Presidents Message.
fcoNcLUpEp.1

[coNcLUDED.
1t was also stipulated, on the part Of
the United States, for the purpose of be-
ing completely liberated from all the re-
plantations presented by France on be-
half Of its citizens, Chat the sum Of one
million FIVE hundred Thousand francs
should be paid to the Government Of
France, in six annual instalmerts, to be
deducted out of the annual SUMS which
France had agreedto pay, interest there
upon being in like manner computed from
the day of the exchange of the raiifea-
tions. In addition to this stipulation, i'm
pnftant advantages we're secured to
France by the following article, viz:
1.-The wines of France, from'and after the
exchange of the notifications of the pres
ent Convention, shall be admitted TO con-,
sumption in the States of the Union, at
duties which shall not exceed the follow
ing rates by the gallon, (such as it is used
at present for wines in the U. States.
to wit: six cents for red wines in casks;
ten cents for white wines in casks and
twenty-five cents for wines Of all sorts
in bottles. The proportions existing be-
tween the duties on French wines thus
reduced, and the general rates Of the
tariff which went into operation the first
January, 1929, shall be maintained, in
case the Government of the United States
should think proper to diminish those
general rates in a new tariff.
ln consideration of this stipulation,
which shall be binding on the U. States
for ten years, the French Government a.
bandons the reclamations which it had
formed in relation to the 9th article of
the treaty Of cession of Louisiana. 1t en-
cages moreover, to establish on the LONG
STAPLE cottons of the United States.
which, after the exchange Of the ratitica-
tons Of the present Convention, shall be
brought directly thence to France by the
vessels Of the United States, or by French
vessels, the same duties as on short sta.
pie cottons."
This treaty was duly ratified in the
manner prescribed by the constitutions OF
beth countries; and the ratification was
exchanged at the city Of Washington on
the I'd Of February, 1882. On account
of It's commercial stipulations it was, in
five days thereafter, laid before the Con-
gress ofthe United States, which pro.
ceeded to enact such laws favorable to the
commerce of France as were necessary
to carry it into full execution; and
France has, from that period to the pres
ent. been in the unrestricted enjoyment
of the valuable privileges that were thus
secured to her. The faith of the French
nation having been thus solemnly pledg-
.ed, through its constitutional organ, for
the liquidation and ultimate payment of
the long deferred claims of our citizens,
as also for the adjustment of other points
of great and reciprocal benefits to both
countries, and the United States having
with fidelity and promptitude by which
their conduct will, l trust, be always
characterized, done every thing that was
necessary to carry the treaty into full
and fair effect on their part, counted with
the most perfect confidence, on equal f.
deity and proDptitude on the part ofthe
French Government. In this reasona-
BILE expectation we have been, regret
to inform you, wholly disappointed. No
legislative provision has been made by
France for the execution of the treaty,
either as respects the indemnity to be
paid, or the commercial benefit to be se-
cured to the United States, and the re-
lations between the United States and
that power, in consequence thereof, are
placed in situation threatening to inter.
rupt the good understanding which has
so loag and SO happily existed between
The two nations.
Not only has the French Government
been thus wanting in the performance of
the stipulations it has 30 solemnly enter
cd into with the United States. but its
omissions have been marked by circum.
stances which would seem to leave US
without satisfactory evidences, that such
performance will certainly take place at
future period. Advice of the exchange
of Publications reached Paris prior to the
9Th April, 1882. The French Cham bers
were then sitting and continued in sess-
ion until the 2lst of that month, and al
though one instalment of the indemnity
was payable on the I'd Of February, 1888,
one year after the exchange Of ratifica-
tions, no application was made to the
Chambers for the required appropriation,
anu III consequence VI ITO uPpIopIidlion
having then been made. the draft of the
United States Government for that in.
stalment, was dlshonoured by the Minis
ter of Finance, and the United States
thereby involved in much controversy.
The next session of the Chambers COM
menced on the 10th November, 1882,
and continued until the 25th April, 1888.
Notwithstanding the omission to pay the
first instalment, had been made the SUBJ
ject Of earnest remonstrance on our part,
tho treaty with the United States. and
bill making the necessary appropriations
to execute it, were not laid before the
Chamber of Deputies until the 9th of A.
prii, nearly Eve months after its meeting,
ana only nineteen days before the close
OF the session. The bill was read and
n