Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-13
.I.g.v'x.4Ig NJ l3, 1879

treaty. They were doubt deemed TO be of nature
not nsuperablc At all events they the affairs ofthe
French Government, not Hut the committee do
think that in candor and fairness these difficulties which
were known to both parties, of which often
warned ought 10 Iculcatc upon the American Govern
ent spirit ofthc utmost indulgence and forbearaDce,
consistent with ultimate justice injured citizens
II. after the apprchendcd opposition presented itself in
Chambers the French Ministry with sincerity and good
FAITH has fairly exercd its powers weaken and sub
que 1t; II the Kings Government is honestly still la
oorg TO accomplish that end, however, painful past de-
lay may be- it would not only be unjust the French
Iovernment- but unwisc, respects the interest of
the United States and the American claimants them
selves that should interpose any obstacle final
cess rash and prccipitate measure part would
against the treaty. but would probably convert OF
inc warm friends into indignant opponents to its execu
This brings us to the consideration of what has
ranspired since the exchange of the ratification ofthc
treaty Tor the purpose of executing it. The committee
nave deliberately examined all the evidence submitted
To them to satisfy themselves whether the Government
OF the King OF France has sincerely and faithfully
deavoed to obtain the appropriations necessary to
cute the stipulation of the treaty. The statement
tanned IN the message of the President respecting the
periods OF the meeting and the termination of the French
Chambers the presentation of the bill of indemnity and
the disposition made of it, is believed be substantially
correct, with the exception that il appears that the
treaty was referred. to committee for examination,
On the sixteenth of June, 1888, and il deemed
ccssary to collect all the documents calculated throw
light upon the question: which, requiring tme prevent
ed report at that session. Standing alone, without
explanation, the delay would imply indifference if
culpable neglect IN procuring from the Chamber the
quise appropriation to fulfil national engagements
But the approximations entertained and expressed by the
French Minister'S in the progress of the negotiation as
to the fate of the treaty before the Chambers appear TO
have been constantly felt by them and to have intin-
enced all their proceedings They profess have been
DESTROYS to remove all difficulties by suitable explana-
tons, and by persuasion and Cancellation, and to have
thought that the support of tho Chambers
likely to be secured by these means, and by time than
by urging immediate decision. The committee beg
leave TO call the attention of the Senate to cortain
parts of the correspondence, which are calculated to
enlghten 1T in respect to the conduct and motives
OF the French King and his ministers. In reply To
note OF Mr.. Niles, the American Charge d AT
falrs complaining of the protest of the draft and the
non-cxecuton of the treaty the French Minister of Fo
reign Affairs in note under date the 2Gh March 1888
says, sat was well known in Washington that ocordne
TO constitutional principle, which also vigorously OBJ
served IN the United States the treaty of July H. 1881
could not take effect in France until it lad received the
assent OF the Legislature in all its financial particulars
Circumstances, over which the Kings Government
have no CONTROL have hitherto prevented it from asking
such sanction; and although thctreatY docs not
tain any express stipulation, regards tho nccess-
y of such assent, yet it should not the nss be cons
dcred as implied inasmuch it necessarily arises from
the nature OF things and the fundamental maxms
public law" And, in subsequent part of the same
note the minister further remarks s.lSut can assure
you that, although there may be delay in the ac-
quiita of The mentioned in the treaty yet that de-
lay, which circumstances render unavoidable, will not be
greater than necessity requires. He adds Your Co
Vernment, SIR will appreciate duly the parliamentary con-
sideratons, and the constitutional principles which
they are founded; and doubt that the affair will end
Government
mere can be no doubt that the alusion of the French
minister TO the circumstances over which the Knr's
government had CONTROL and parliamentary consi-
deratons which would be duly appreciated at Washing
ton, referred to the opposition the treaty i'm the Cham
Der of Deputies. This supposition is confirmed bv
passage in note from Mr. Harris the successor of Mr.
Niles, as American Charge fairs addressed to the
French Minister on the LIST July 1888, in which, refer
ring to repeated interviews between them he saws: ole
was then assured that there opposition in the
Chambers with regard TO the treaty. but that great hope
was nteEiained OF ITS being surmountcd The under
signed, therefore employed himself, the one hand
agreeably othe invitation that he would do in visiting
inc most influential members, and setting the principles
OF the treaty before them in their true lght so as 10
make them comprehend the whole importance Of the
question; and on the other of transmitting 10 the Cabi-
net at washington, accounts of all that took place here
as Wen as the promises and assurances given him by the
fiehGh Ministry. The case must have been ex-
raordinary in which foreign minister could have
invoked or representative of the American Govern
ment would have yielded to, such irregular inerpos
ton.
In his to this note the French Minister after
expressing his opinion that it unnecessary the Mi
MISTER OF France, at Washington having been charged TO
make suitable representations, proceeds say: Thus
ms MaJestys Government, in demanding from the
Chamber of Deputies, during the first session. the APP
preparation indispensable for dischargs,g the enoane
ments of the treaty. proceeded agrccaSlv o l Sns :;
evidently did not depend upon the Government TO have
such appropriation voted in that session; and certainly
IT IS not to Mr. Harris that the undersigned could think
himself obliged TO urge such a consideration.
AS to the session which begun the 25th of April
It's shorness Is sufficient alone explain how the vote
whch was rejected III the preceding should have
been again deferred; and upon this point likewise the
King Government is fully authorized to consider itself
clear of all imputation.
" No doubt, as MIR. Harris Observes the Cabinet at
Washington had right TO rely upon the exact ulfment
OF the engagements subscribed in the name of France
and IT is to be hoped that in this its confidence has not
Deen diminished; but II is too enlightened and under
stands too well The duties imposed by representative in
stitutlons well as by the Parliamentary system not
TO have Judged that the Kings Government would ne
cessary have above all things to pursue the proper line
OF conduct with regard to the Chambers In fact while
the charter recognizes in the King the right of concu
ding anu ratityIng treaties it, at the time vendors
The sanction OF the Legislative body indispensable for the
execute OF those parts Of their stipuations the exam
nation OF which Is among their special attributes"
The difficulties, Of which representative at Paris
was apPrzcd in passing through te Chambers the bill
OF appropriation were communicated to the American
Government by the French minister here In a note
rom INN to the Secretary Of State, Gnder date the 10Th
May, 1888, hc says With regard TO the explanations
requested by the Secretary Of State the delay Of
the French legislature in giving its sanction the fnan
cla clauses OF the convention the Duke de Broge OBJ
serves 10 the undersigned that il be well known nj
Washington how much crcumspcction (n1cnagemcas) is
necessary IN representative government and bow many
parliamentary difficulties 10 be met with especially
when treaty IS in question, which, account of the OBJ
legations which imposes the country has against il
strong prcudcesn the Chambers and public opinion with
out The Minister OF Foreign Affairs adds that this duty
ls been entirely unavoidable (independcnt dc rotantJ
that lac will in few days submit u the Chambers biz
on tho subject, and that he win do all that could be ex
pected from Che known loyalty ofthe Kings Government
10 ehect ITS passage speedily possible and abrdgc
a delay which he has been only able to regret"
Again, on the Dist August 1888, the French minister
at Washington, by the express order Of his government
addressed note to the Secretary of State from which
that Congress should not hesitate to sanction a con-
vCnion advantageous 10 the cttizons Of the Ifni