Litchfield enquirer., 1834-12-18

General BernoTd, Minister of War, staunch Bu"napariist, and equally staunch OrIeanIst, possesses likewise talents of the highest Or- der; is wholly devoted to the interests Of France, and was long time resident m this country, where his general knowledge and in- structive conversations are still remembered by numerous circle of friends No man in l the W hole union, from Maine to Louisiana, 1 has a more thorough knowledge, founded on personal observation of localities, cities, riv- l CTS, inlets, forts, islands, means "F attack and defence, and all other circumstances connect ed with the United States, than this able en- gineer officer, surnamed the modern Vauban; and his experience, coupled with hts high standing with the King, will. no doubt. give to his opinion on American afaiis a weight like ly to influence the measures required by the contingency. On which side will this minis l ter incline!
 Bresson, keeper of the pOrte-feuille of for l eign affairs, we believe was resident in this country for some time. Those that know him pretend tha; he is any thing but an en- thusiast of republican principles. and far from
 approving the sweeping method of treating
 pecuniary questions. Like his colleagues. he
 is not yielding in a cause involving tine char
 acter and honor of France; and his accession
 to office is not likely to advance an amicabe adjustment ofpending difference.
 l With such a trium"irate, what results will follow the receipt of the Presidents Message?
 The French is chivalrous and high-mind ed nation, and more than any other, keenly 1 feels an open attack upon its national dignity. May they not say |" It is true, we have an indemnity subject under consideration with the United States, the settlement of which, owing to peculiar circumstances, they will be disclosed in course of time, has been some what delayed, and might have been adjusted by a diplomatic negotiation. But is this suf- ficient motive, justification, for closing the avenue to reconciliation, for laying open to 1 the whole world transactions cognizable only to the respective cabinets. accompanying them too by language SO unmeasured as to leave no alternative between tarnished honor and the sword. Rather than yield, which would prove pusillaninity, lrt us vindicate nationa! honor and act with decision by repelliuS force by force.
 The French nation. there is little doubt, would go hand in hand with the ministers in this course; and might it rot happen that, under supposition that letters of marque and reprsals would he issued by the Government ofthe United States against the flag of France, the latter. as a preliminary measure, might order an immediate embargo on all American property in the ports of France.
 Numerous other acts of hostility, which it Is not our intention to alarm our readers by pointing out, would, no doubt, follow in case of rupture; but those are, we think. not a lit- tie in error who conceive if the Chambers have not already acted, that a ready cOmpli ance on the part of France with the stipua- tions of the treaty will be the result of the measures held out.-N. Y. Star.
 n
 "Honort to whom honor is due" aye, even though it he to " the adversary" The list of appointments to the Standing Committees of the House will show you, that the House and the country have sustained no loss in the sub stituton of Bell for Stevenson as Speaker.- The Committees are appointed, not only with more fairness, hut with more Judgment than they were during the administration of the latter gentleman, "whOse only care was to in- crease his chanee' of being sent as an ambas- sadOr to St. James's. The sympathetic pain felt by those who witnessed the modification and degradation Of that Wolscy, has passed away. The appointments, as far as we can learn, have given satisfaction to all parties.- There is in them mingling of the elements, which think cannot fail of leading tO benef- cial results to the Union; for. it must be evil dent tO those who have watched, or who un- uCtSsduu suC WI OO"6 SSo'v""s uASoS- ures, that more good or more harm may be done to any proposition in the Committee rooms that can be done in the House. Hence the somewhat curious prescription of the ler Partiamentaria, or some commentary thereon, that every measure in its initiatOry stage shall be submitted to committee who will take care of it, and not to nurse who will endeav- or to destroy the child.
 We had a smart skirmishing debate today -the first ofthe sessiOn-on your West POiDt Academy. Mr. Hawes. .ofKentucky y charges the institution with being hive of full drones. without either bees or honey. whereupOn he lD1reth WrOth, and proposed its abOlitiOn.- Clayton of Georgia, Smith of Maine, and one or two others think the same thing; but Gel. Johnson thlnkpth otherwise, and boldly as. serts, that he regardeth the rumors against the institution nO more than he doth the idle wind and further, that the more it is exam ined into, the less will the objections against it become. The institution was strenuOusly supported by Ward and Brown of your State. | Alter this debate had terminated, by the reception of Mr. Hawes's proposition. for the appointment of a committee of investigation into tho affairs of West Point Academy, to consist Of member from each state, MT. COnnOS made feeble effort, which was not intended to succeed. tO take up the Presidents Message. We shall probably have it up to- morrow.
 forgot to mention one incident which oc- l A