Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-06-05
Yours, with respect,
THOMAS II. STEGER.
9pOTOGY-Eypj 1v37y0


The negotiation of Mr. Rivcss Treaty is about to be
contaminated by the frmncss of the President The
bill of Indemnity has passcd-and we congratulate the
country upon the result II is another feather i'm our
cap The condition, which is attached 10 the Bill can
scarcely defeat its execution.
Several OF the journals have described il demanding
an apology Were any such asked, should scorn il
with Indignation. We hope should be the last to barter
our countrys honor, for money But do not
understand that any apology is askcd-Ccrtany the
term itself Is entirely grstuious There is such
preston in the bill. The words used are satisfactory
explanations I'm the French, eypiicati0ns land we
cannot hesitate to believe, that those explanations are
to be confined to the Executives OF the two countries
andas the President has always disclaimed all idea Of
insulting the French Government, such a frank and
liberal reference may be made to the Presidents Mes
sage, as will satisfy the French Cabinet We beg leave
to adopt the views, which set forth in the following
Argus
"FRAScE-PAssAoE OF THE IsDrmxrrr BnL.-The
question which has so long threatened TO disturb the
aniicable relations between this country aud her
ancient ally, readers were appraised Yesterday
briefly, is ut length happily adjusted, and in u man
ner equally compatible with the honor of the country
and the interest OF the individual claimants under thu,
treaty of 1881. Under all the endorsements which
the Opposition here, both in and of Congress-
have sought TO throw in the way of earlier settle
mcnt oil our long-ncglected and acknowledged claims
and Notwithstanding the effect which these sinister eff
forts were calculated if not designed to have, and did
have to some extent abroad, the result though not
unexpected, is in view of all the circumstances, n
matter OF high congratuaton with the friends of the
country and the Administration by whose wisdom and
hrInncss it has been effected. The bill it will be seen
for the paymct of the $4,000 000f strict conformity
with the treaty s;ipula;ios passed the French Chambers
on the 10th ut by the triumphant majority of hun
dred and tyt,cO after several Intellectual attempts 10
withhold the interest, either altogether until after the
date OF the bill passage full and satisfactory re-
cosniton OF the Justice of our entire claims more
pablo and umating concession the part of Fl ance
cannot well be conceived than the disposition which
the Chambers found the nsclves under the necessity
making OF the propositions with respect interest To
withhold the interest, either in whole the extent
proposed would have been virtually to annu the treaty
which granted interest we'll principle; while to grant
IT, was IN effect, equivalent TO admission that cur
claims had been due and payable from the date of the
treaty. and that their payment had been wrongny de-
layed we do not wonder, therefore, that those " lo
sought to nvadac the claims altogether or 10 reduce
them one half and who contcndcd that the treaty was
no treaty until ratified by the Chambers, should have
made an effort to avoid recognizing in the BILL the justice
of those claims.
"With respect TO the proviso which the Chambers
thought fit to attach TO the billtat the pay mcnts should
not be made until the French government should Ina We
received satisfactory explanations, &c. adopt the
marks OF The N. Y. Americana source from which we
seldom quote with APPRECIATION and especially on this
subject That paper well says that g the condition a n
ncxed is mere savo to national feeling and will cast
ly be disposed of behalf by simple reference
TO- and repetition OF, the language of the Presidents
Message. 1t would be full and complete answer on
our part to recall and reerate the following declaration
which, i'll the Presidents annual mnediatey
follows the declaration, that in n certain CONTINGENCY
reprisais be resorted to-
4" Such measure ought not to be considered by
France as menace Her pride and power too we II
known, oexpect any thing from her fears preclude
the necessity of a declarations that nothinp partaking al
the character OF intimidation is intended by us. :"
What we said in good faith in December last icon.
tnues the Americana there can be objection tc
repeating with increased emphasis if necessary now
especially a TO the alternative TO which thi,
language when used referred has rendered unne
cessary, by the compliance of the French Government
with our reasonable demands