Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-12
sails wa. the failure to execute the pledges which

stance OF Mr.. Livingston, tic aPP'oPA'~'
had been submitted to the chambers convened
ON the 3ist July, 1884; or if they had been convo
ked for that purpose, early in the autumn, ana
they had continued their deliberations on tnat
subject down to the present time, II Is moi propa
bic that the President would have recommended
any measure of self redress. II was not imPlo.
bable to suppose, that the President wouio nav
abstained from any such recommendation u nc
had known, what recent intelligence from
France shows. that in point of fact, the ChamoeTs
assembled on the lst of Dec. instead OF the 2stn
the day on which it was believed by the President
they would meet. .,,;on
II, this limited view of the subject the question:
would be, whether the committee ougnt 10 aoI
wise the adoption of a measure, the tendency oi
which may be rupture between the TWO eounr
tries because the King Of France, in violation OF
a pledge did not call its Legislative bodies to-
gether some 80 or 80 days earlier than the peri
Cd of their accustomed meeting! II, w!nout
reason such an extra session had been reused,
the committe would hesitate before for that sole
cause they would take upon themselves the re-
sponsibility Of giving such ADVICE. out ''Ie
French Government have assigned reasons a.
least plausible; for declining to accede TO inc
Presidents wish for an extra session OF the
Chambers. They say that in France. as IS
known to be case in the United Staetes, during
certain seasons Of the year, legislative iaoors
are habitually suspended: that owing TO the OPP
position to the bill of appropriation, they are
obliged to proceed with great circnmspecupn'
and to adopt system Of prudence ana procras-
tination; that MIR. Livingston, to whose person
al knowledge they appeal, (and he does not de-
nv it) is aware, from his oW observation, OF Inc
OBJ ,taces they nave TO encounter, and the eau
ton which they are bound to practice; that
special call of the Chambers would not oe at
tended with the benefit expected from It al
Washington. and might endanger the success OF
sho I'll n
deration of the President to exercise spirit OF
wisdom aud reconcile alton in seconding their ell
t. rts and counteracting the adoption OF any
measures, the tendency of which would be more
regretted, as they could only impede the settle
m, of a question from which they profess them
selves to be seriously DESTROYS to exclude any
new difficulties.
if these reasons are not sufficient to command
conviction, the committee think that they nnght
to secure acquiescence, in the resolution OF the
King, not to hazard the success OF the Oil ny
special call of the French Legislature, at an I'M
usual season Of the year. Throughout the whole
negotiation which preceded the conclusion Oh
the treaty and all that has followed it, the King
of France has uniformly displayed strong de
sire of a satisfactory accommodation OF existing
difficulties. And it is no more than just tn.
butte to his fidelity, to declare, after carefui
perusal Of the whole correspondence, the con-
viction of the committee. that, up to the date OF
the last note from his Minister OF Foreign Al.
fairs. in August last, he had invariably, on all
suitable occasions manifested an anxious de-
sire, faithfully and honestly 10 fulfil the engage
ments contracted under his. authority, and in his
name. The opposition to the execution of the
treaty, and the payment of our just claims, does
not proceed from the Kings Government, but
from a majority in the Chamber of Deputies. In
such case, whilst the King and his Ministers
are exertng their best endeavOrs to secure an
appropriation, sound policy requires that we
should second them, strengthen them, and above
all to do nothing to impair their force and aug
ment the opposition already prevailing against
the treaty in the Chambers.
The refusal of one portion of foreign gov
eminent, whose concurrence is necessary 10
carry into effect treaty with another, may be
regarded, in strictness as tantamount 10 re-
fIsal of the whole government. But when the
head of that foreign government-the organ
which conducts all foreign intercourse, avows
its anxious desire, faithfully to execute the trea-
ty, when it gives the strongest assurances OF It's
determination to persevere with the co ordinate
branches of the government, to the accomplish
ment of that end; when, too, means OF iuihng
the treaty have been but once refused by MA
jorty of only eight voices, in an assembly COM
posed of 344 members present; and when We re-
feet how often. in the annals of deliberative bo-
dies, VIC find instances Of measures which had
previously failed. ultimately succeeding the
committee must think that the time has not yet
arrived for entertaining considerations OF the
serious question whether the Congress of the
United States ought now to resort TO any mea-
sure of selfredress. The civilized spirit Of the
age the fprbearance and moderation which
have ever characterized the Government OF the
United States, and the obligations OF Congress
to the people of the United States TO avoid war,
or measures tending directly to produce war,
except in the last extremity, all seem to the com
mittee to demand that we should await The re- !
suit of the renewed exertions OF the French
King and his Cabinet, to secure the financial
means to execute the treaty.
The committee agree with the President, that
the United States ought not to consent to gong
behind the treaty for any purpose of disturbing
its mutual stipulations. II ought to be consider
ed as having finally closed whatever it pro- |
fesses to settle But, for all other purposes, The
door of negotiation ought to be considered as
yet open. The object Of negotiation is by adj
ducing facts and urging arguments, and ny ap- |
peals to reason. to bring nations to common con-
victions and conclusions. 10 previous part OF
this report it has been stated, that deep-rooted
and great misconception of facts
prevailed in the Chambers with respect to the
treaty, and especially in regard to the amount