Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-02-26
TDe Gasettt:
7rAnrxNsBuRe, FEB. &c, laas.


AtIength we have intelli gcncc from France
and intelligence verifying very decisiyely the
wors, anticipations Of the effect there Of the
Presidents Message at the opening Of the pre-
sent session or Congress. The details will be
found in another column Of this days Gazette.
What pext7 Is there 10 be war, For our
selves we incline 10 think that there will not
with full conviction that neither the interest
nor The honor Of either country requires an ap-
peal TO arms, we think that there will be good
sense enough on both sides 10 exIricate the
friendly relations Of the two countries from what
Mai Downing would call the ''snarE" into which
they have got by the bad counsels which Tor the
present are prevalent in both. Resentment on
the part Of France was doubtless to be expected;
but it has gone a bow shot beyond the limits that
were admissible.
| The French government carried away by pas
sion, has acted if the indiscretions ofh Pres
| ident were the act of the people Of the United
States--as if the President, and not Congress re-
| presented the nation in questions Of Peace and
War. Il is scarcely TO be doubted we think, that
every thing will be again put to rights, upon the
receipt Of Mr.. Clay's Report at Paris, and that
the difficulties which at present exist will be
| put in train of speedy adjustment, unless in
deed, the spirit Of faction here shall give the
belligerent propensities Of cur President further
| scope and nourishment.
| What are we TO 60 to warfor' Because the
| Chamber Of Deputies Of France claiming con-
sttuional right to exercise discretion upon the
subject, have refused to appropriate the money,
for the falfIment Of the treaty negotiated by the
king with the United States2 If the Chambers
have the right by the French Constitution, il is
! France, on the score of breach Of faith, for no
| faith could, upon this supposition, be pledged,
without the concurrence of the Chambers.
| In the year l775, case exactly this, in all its
parts occurred in our own country, under the ad
minisration of Gen. Washington. We allude TO
the case Of jays Treaty. This treaty was reg
uarly ratified by the President and Senate, and
the notifications had been exchanged with Great
! Britain-the other party. 1t was laid before the
| House of Representatives by Gen. Washington,
with view to the appropriations by Congress
that were necessary 10 carry it into effect. The
appropriations were resisted, with the utmost fu-
ry, by the Democratic party Of that day, who
asserted, on behalf Of the House of Representa-
tiyes, constitutional right to exercise its dis
! erection upon the subject. General Jackson was
member of the party at that day and, we
doubt not, concurred with il in asserting the prin.
ciplc in question. But, be this as it may, Mr.
Livingston, our present minister at Paris-he
who now, so strenuously, and, we will add so
conclusively argues against the right claimed by
the French Chambers-was then member Of our
ii OF Representatives distinguished leader Of
the same party and voted to the last against the
appropriation for carrying jays treaty into effect.
Admitting that Gen jackson and Mr. Living
ston were honest in the opinions which they then
heid-what right have they, at least, to question
the honesty with which the French Chambers
now hold the same opinion2 With what pro.
priety can they now urge this nation to wage a
war with France on this account?