South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-02-14
Mr.. Lisingstom to the Secretary Of
State Extracts.

Mr.. Livingston to the Secretdry OF
State Extracts.
PARIS, Dec. ~, 1884.
SIR: Our diplomatic relations with
this Government are on the most ex-
traordinary footing. With the Exec
utive branch have little to discuss,
fer they agree with me in every mate
rial point on the subj ect ofthe treaty.
With the Legislature, where the great
difficulty arises, I can have no official
communication; yet deeply impressed
with the importance to my fellow.citi-
zens ofsecuring the indemnify TO which
they are entitled, and to the country
Of enforcing the execution Of engage
ments soIemnly made to it, az well as
Of preventing rupture which must in
fallibly follow the final refusal to exe-
cute the convention, have felt il dn.
ty to use every proper endeavor TO a
VOID this evil. This has been, and
continues to be, subject of much en-
barrassment.
My last despatch, 10th December]
was written Immediately after the vote
of the Chamber Of Deputies had, as 1t
was thought, secured majority to the
administration and it naturally exeit-
ed hopes which that supposition was
calculated to inspire. / soon found,
however, both from the tone Of the adj
ministration press, and from the LAM
guage Of the King, and all the Ministers
with whom I conferred on the subject,
that they were not willing 10 put their
popularity to the test on our question.
1t will not be made one on the deter
mination of which the Ministers ara
willing to risk their portfolios. The
very next day after the debate, the min
isterial Gazette, Lies Debats,) declar-
ed, that, satisfied with the appreciation
the Chamber had given to their system,
it was at perfect liberty TO exercise it's
discretion ss to particular measures
which do not form an essential part
Of that system; and the communica~
lions l subsequently had with the King
and the Ministers confirmed me in the
opinion that the law for executing our
convention was to be considered as one
of those free questions. l combatted
this opinion, and asked whether the
faithful observance of treaties was not
an essential part Of their system, and,
if so, whether it did not come within
their rule 7 Without answering this
argument, was told Of the endeavors
they were making to secure the pass.
age OF the law by preparing the state.
men, mentioneds in my former des>
patch. This, it is said, is nearly fin.
ished, and from what know Of its ten
or, it will produce all the effect that
truth and justice can be expected to
have on prejudice and party spirit.
The decision not to makeit cabinet
question will not be without its favora.
ble operation,
, some Of the leaders Of the oppo.
silion, who may not be willing to take
the responsibility Of rupture between
the two nations, by breaking the treaty
when they are convinced, that, instead
of forcing the Ministers to resign, they
will themselves only incur the odium
of having caused the national breach.
In this view Of the subject shall be
much aided, if, by the tenor Of the
Presidents message, it is seen that we
shall resent the breach of faith they
contemplate.
1t is on all hands conceded that it
would be imprudent to press the decis-
ion before the next month, when the
exposition will be printed and laid be-
fore the Chambers.
y
On the whole, am far from being
sanguine Of success in the endeavors
which shall not cease TO make for the
accomplishment of this important OBJ.
ject Of my mission and expect with
some solicitude the Instructions for my
conduct in the probable case of a re-
lection of the law. i have the honor
to be, &c. &c.
EDW. LIVINGSTON.
Hon. J. FORSYTH, Secretary, &c. &c.