Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-20


that the time had arrived the point prescntcd in
the of relations with France in regard to this
subject at which all pacific measures have become hope
less, and resort must be had TO of hostile
ture of some kind other an indication of such
being intended, and that this likely TO prove
efficient From these opinions OF the gentleman from
Pcnnsy Mr. L. said he dissentcd entirely and alb
soutcly He knew trait in the character of France
circumstance her present situation and relative
strength fact in her whole history, which induced
him 10 believe, that iu.imaon % her OF hostile
sures to enforce right if she should withhold it, would
have tendency TO quicken her ojusticc aud s-
muate her TO render what she would not voluntarily
der to just and amiclbe demands Between nations
who have constant intercourse he said there
dum between friendly and hostile relations; ut least
such state could not long endure. lfhostc measures
should became necessary, IL would be best to resort to
war at once for would almost certainly ensne from
any measures Impartial hostility II not intend
cd, and much moro, If not anticipated the
wiser and polite, well the magnanmous
and honorable to place entire reliance upon
to express undoubtng confidence in, the justice the
magnanmity. the good faith ofFrance. No member of
the Senate Mr.. l.. believed, willing to adopt
the measure recommended by the President the policy
indicated by the Committee of Foreign Relations was,
therefore, the only alternative and in adopting it, IL
should be cur to evnce, in the strongest manner
possible our confidence in tlIs manifest justice OF our
claim on France; our confidence that wise and mag
unanimous nation Will soon discern its justice, and make
provisions for tho payment of the debt due
This he thought, the obvious policy for under
present circumstances As TO what. might be
policy in any of circumstances that might hcreaf
ter arise Mr. L. said il would be folly for him 10 give
any opinion There might be circumstances that would
no controlover which France herself could have no
absolute control Forinstance, suppose should sud
denly break out in Europe; suppose Great Britain or
Russia should declare war against Francc-would the
gentleman from Pcnnsylvan be willing that the United
states SHOULD also wage against France, solely TO
get this money she when in doing we should
be not only accomplishing purposes, Gf indeed,
could thereby accomplish thcm) but subsc wing the
purpose OF her European enemy too which might be the
conquest of France? In such ease he thoughtthc gem
tlcman from Pennsylvania would be apt himself
hesitate We could have possible motive TO conquer
Franco N
est desire TO weaken her, much to her sub
dued by others. Our object TO obtain payment of
Just debt; we had no purpose OF ambition TO pe us to
hostilitics against France; in TRUTH entertained
feeling towards her. which could be called resentment
we wanted the money that due to us; and the ques
ton we had to solve was, what was the which
prudence and sound policy dictated, best calculated
to obtain it, 1t might affect the honor Of France, if she
should withhold the payment; IT could not affect the
tiona honor of the United States wait yet little lon
ger, in the expectation of her voluntary usce-to alb
stain from of hostility, which would not after
ALL promise certain success and which, even fit were
certain they should be successful there many
most weigty considerations that should persuade us TO
avoid, If possible, and as long possible.
MIR L. heartily concuredn the sentiment which other
gentlemen had expressed in this debae-that in
roversy with any foreign Nation, the duty of
all to avoid, by all means any collision with the Exccu
tive Department of our Government Therefore he
would not now enter into any criticism of the Presidents
measures, if he thought them justly obnoxious con-
surc-saying this he desired it to be understood that he
did not in fact impute any blame to the he had
taken obtain the execution of the with France
He only differed with him i'm respect to the course re-
commended in his Message nc prepared now
authorize rcprisals against France as measure of re-
dress; and he equally nverse rather avcrse
from giving her any ntmaon, that unless she shall soon
comply with our Just demands, shall TO repri-
sails, any other hostile measures against her If he
could be brought to think such ntmation of future
hostiltes proper he should be apt to go the whole
length of ordering reprisals He really did not
anticipate that France would long persist in Withholding
payment of this just debt. He agreed with the gentle
man from Alabama, (Mr Kng) that would be best to
adopt the resolution of the gentleman from Georgia. mo-
dcd proposed by the amendment offered by the gen-
tleman from Kentucky. For that proposition it seemed
him. gentlemen who differed in some parti
culars might all vote with that unanimitv which was ca
desirable such OCCASION. The resolution (said Mr.
~ is, that IT is not expedient at this trae-mark the
force of the words at this timeto pass any law the
subject OF the treaty with France July 1881 We do
commit ourselves what shall or shall not
do at any future time, or IN any other state of crcum
Mr. Calhoun trusted that there would be unanimy in
the views of honorable Senators this important sub
Ject, and that such phraseology of language would
used would indicate it. And he was very happy 20
hear the gentleman from AlabaIna make the suggestion
he had to the honorable Senator from Georgia (Mr.
King)
Mr. King, of Georgia, said that to the various aug-
gestions and propositions from different parts of the
Chamber, he had only word in reply. And that was
that he willing to accept any modification of the re-
solution that would unite vote upon the subject He
would, however. whilst say word in explanation of
the amendment, and objections which had
been made to it. He said in the Senator from
Kentucky, he would say that he selected the reason
as that which separated the Committee from the Presi
dent not only because it that mentioned in the re-
port but because 1T seemed to include all the Ii
been said by the honorable Senator, truly, that France
had promised to do several things which She had not per-
formed besides carly assembling of the Chambers |
some If which might with equal proprety be referred
to- True But the assembling of the Chambers being
general necessary for the performance of the other
promises were led to hope that the Chambers being
now convened the performance Of all her other promises
would follow And he wished further distinctly to CON
vey the idea to France that the Chambers had as
scmblcd, we expected that they would do all that was
necessary, before they prorogucd fulfil the
cution OF the treaty
II objected he said, the language of the amend
ment, that seemed by it pledged to action when fur
thcr information might be received from France lie had
such intentions and if such construction were found
he would be willing to change the language and say
sunless farther Information from France shall Justify L.
gsauon DC. He said there a Senator i'm the !
hall more unwilling TO commit himself the Senate TO
specific action this subject than himself but whilst
Inc did not wish to commit himself to act he did wish
TO commit himself not to act if action should be called
for. He would not this time nit himself to
by the Chambers to make the appropriation But he
said there large portion of the people of the
United States who thought that France had already treat
cd ms with much indgnity and il there should be another
REFUSAL coupled with acknowledged insult he would
not say then what should be done. II would be
time enough to decide upon the mode of action when
action might be thought necessary. But for the present
he would say that the United States were now cut of
the nursery, and although a nation We may not have
arrived at the years Of maturity, were at least i'm
condition act for and take Of ourselves He con
cuded BY saying, he had material objection to the
modification proposed, if it would unite both parties in
the vote and uDlcs gentleman objected ne should
take for granted that there general acauiescencc
Mr.. Cubbcrt wished TO know what was the difference