Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-20
Twenty-third Comgress---.gd. Sess.
IN SENATE.
WedncSddy, January l-[coScLUDED.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FRANCE.

~e aTs Rgh Lenssyg MiT i FRANCE
The Report of the Committee of Foreign Relations
declaring any Legislative action in regard to Rea-
sideraton and Mr.. Clay, Mr.. King, of Georgia. MIR.
Webster, and Mr. Buchanan, having addressed the Sc
nate the subject
expressive of the opinion he entertained that phraseolo-
cy might be used which would have the effect Of uniting
cumstances existing II inexpedentto law
relating TO treaty with France In using tho OK
preston estate of circumstances existing those
would be satisfied who believed that state of cir
cumstances had yet occurred which would the
measure recommended by the President And he (Mr.
C also convey by the expression he had used
that of circumstances did exist but that change
had taken place which warranted further DELAY;
which made il prudent and which due to the friend
ship which had lasted long between the two countries
and which ought TO preserve If possible. If it was
possible. there ought TO be unanimous this
most important question. This which denaaad
ed not only prudence, but involved the pride and honor
ft.e American character Whatever might have been
in bygone days, domestic differences, let us at this
tne when foreigner-a strange naton-ls concerno
act boldly and maniuly and show undivided front
the world, whatever may be divisions home he
should like resolution of this kind pass the SEN
ate although exactly in the language in which he
had couched his sentiments The language of ii should
be such to allow it TO be construed that it might he
said circumstances never have existed though
warranted by future circumstances TO change our
But circumstances exist which render
unnecessary to point any particular measure TO be
pursued.
Mr. King, of Alabama, said that he had listened with
the greatest satisfaction to the views taken by gentle
who had addressed the Senate both sides of the
question. lie thought with tlcn that il bchoovcd
in proper spirit and proper temper to into
this matter, and by showing unanmity in councils
best the respect of the world we'll the honor
and interests of the nation The report and resolution
he said, of the Committee Foreign Relations had
been properly characterized by all the gentlemen who
had adveTtcd TO them. They drawn in n temper
and spirit which could not fail TO command the approba
ton of all He had, from the first, been of those
who had expressed the opinion that this matter should
be delayed TO longer period than the present Had
it been delayed until we could have received further
information on the subject every gentleman would
have better prepared 90 say what would be the
best for Congress to pursue and greater una
nimy the vote the Senate might have been
ably expected He himself prepared this time
to say-le would say what Congress should do i'm
the contingency advertcd by the Senator from XIV
He hoped circumstances would place of the power
of gentlemen TO say what they would do in the happen
ing of such event, and that France, by doing full
justice, would leave unimpared the amicable eengg
the American people have always entertained for their
ancient ally. At this time it not necessary that we
should legislae the subject All knew that crcunI-
stances had changed since the President sent his
sage, and all knew that circumstances might and proba-
bly, would so change as to render any legislative action
entirely unnecessary He should hope, therefore that
his friend from Georgia (Mr King would yield to the
suggestion of the gentleman from Kentucky. and in
spirit of concession accept the slight modification of his
amendment expressing the of the Senate tat il
inoxpedent at his time to act the subject aud thus
secure undivided vote. He hoped as the amendment
still in the power Of his friend from Georgia he
would accept the modification which slightly varied
from his views
Mr.. Leigh asked, whether there was any essential
difference between the proposition of the gentleman
from Georgia, who spoke last, (Mr Cuthbert) and the
submitted by his colleague, modified by the
amendment proposed by the Chairman Of the Commit
tee Of Foreign Relations He asked the Chair to read
them they read. He said he could not see any
antial difference between The two propogon4. IL
there he should be willing to vote for that submitted
by the gentleman from Georgia. (Mr Cuthber;) that
proposition well the gcntcman's remarks met
with his entire and hearty concurrence. But in truth
he had no preference between the two propositions; in
his opinion, they bos. alike proposed the policy which
interest required, which prudence detected and ma
tonnl honor sanctoned and they were both they
ought To be- perfectly respectful towards France 1t
the object Of us all he supposed without doubt Of the
President and Of every member Of both Houses of Com
eress to obtain payment from France the nitv nc
knowledged to be due TO citizens by the late treaty
TO induce France TO execute the treaty her part For
the accomplishment Of this purpose two propositions of
opposite character had been submitted TO the Senate
the by the President in his late annual message the
other by the Committee of Foreign Relations The
President recommended that Congress should authorize
reprisas against France, provision should be
made for the payment Of the money stipulated by the
treaty Of 1881 during the present session Of the French
Chambers and it not to be supposed that auy cir
cumstances had transprcd since The Message which i'm
the Presidents opinions ought to reverse or vary The
course he there recommended otherwise the President
would certainly have communicated those circumstances
% us and the change they had wroughtn his own views
Tic took il for granted there circumstances
which, in the view Of the President, materially altered
the state Of things.
The question submitted 10 them was bis--shall we
consent TO adopt, CT T. authorize, connaenty
of hostile nature towards France in the present con-
iuncture Of affairs for The purpose Of getting payment
from her Of the indemnity stipulated by the treaty and
the best calculated to accomplish that prnoao3
Or, shall we, for the present still continue rely on The
Of right and justice Of France herself and oyince
by conduct perfect confidence that she will land
that at distant day that her interest and her
own honor alike require her TO pay this comparatively
small Of money Justly due 10 usY We have been
told (said Mr. b by Che gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Alr Buchanan) that the best may indeed the onlyj
Of obtaining justice from France 10 let her un
dcrsand that IN case her Legislature shall adjourn with
out making appropriation at its present session 20 pny
this money 10 shall resort 10 hostile measures Of
some kind or otherthat he does not believe that the
money will be paid unless we give her such an init
nation Of our intentions 10 enforce rcdressand that this
fanknoss part ought not to be- and probably will
gentleman rightly
Nj Buchanan replied that his opinion was this. ,bat