Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-13

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Ia that case however, should feel some cmbarrass
ments as to the exact Of the French debt for
winch we should levy-bccause being payable in six
instruments with interest computed from the day Of the
exchange of the ratitcations of the treaty. (Fcbrnnrv
leS) only two OF those nsalments yet due Should
we enforce payment of those two only resort TO the
irritating II not hazardous remedy of rcpsals as the
others shall excessively fall due or in consequence of
default IN the payment of the first two consider them all
now due and levy for the whole
keprisals do not of themselves produce state of n
Puoc war; put they are not nnircquently the immediate
precursor ONT When they accompanied with na,-
thorty, from the Government which admits them 10
employ force, they believed invariably to have led
10 war In all cases where the nation against which they
are directed is able to make resistance IL is wholly
inconceivabe that powerful and chvarous nation like
france would submit without retaliation the seizure
OF ,ne property oil her unofendng citizens, pursuing
their lawful commerce, to pay debt which the popular
branch oil her Legislature had refused acknowledge
ana provide Tor IL cannot be supposed that France
would tacitly and quietly the payment of a
debt to The United States by forcble seizure OF French
property, which, after full olcliberation tho (b,mher,d
expressly refused It's consent to discharge Retaliation
would ensue and retaliation would inevitably terminals
IN war In The instance Of reprisas made lay France up
on Portugal, cited by the President the weakness of
tins power, convused and dcsolatcd by the ravagcs of
civii war; sufficiently accounts for the fact Of their being
submitted to- and producing n state of GENERA, hos
tilics between the two nations
eprsais so far parakc of the character of war that
ty are an appeal from force from negotiation
ocVshg remedy TO be applied by the consent
oil both parties to self redress out and REGULATED
by the will of one of Them and if resistance be made
uy convey an authority to subduc it, by the sacrifice of
| life, If necessary.
The trainers of Constitution have manifested their
sense OF the nature of this power, by associating it in
the same clause with grants Congress of the power
TO declare war; and 10 make rules concerning captures
on land and water
Without dwelling further the nature of this power
ana under ull conviction that the practical exercise of
1T against France would involve the United States i'm war
me committee are of opinion that considerations de-
cisvey oppose the Investment of such n power in the
President to be used III the contingency stated by him
In the first place, the authority 10 grant letters of
marque and rcPrisal being specially delegated to Con
| ubt Of
Judging OF the expcdency of granting them under all
the circumstances existing at the time when tbev ore
proposed to be actually issued. The Committee are moi
sashed mat Congress cOnstuonally delegate this
right 1t Is true the President proposes to limit the excr
cise oil 1t to one specified contingency. But if the law
VI passed. as recommended the President might aud
probably would, feel himself bound TO eyecuc !,
ia Inc event, no matter from what cause, of prov-
sion not being made Tor the iulfllment of the treaty
by the French Chambers, understood to be in scs
Sion The committee can hardly conceive the POSSIBLE
iy ot amy sufficient for n failure to make such
provision But, if il should unfortunately occur they
think that without indulging in any feeling of unreasor-
abe disrns towards the Executive, Congress ought to
rcservc TO scfhe constitutional right which it
OF Judging of all the circumstances by Which such re-
fusa might he attended, of hearing France and of de-
Gliding whether in the actual posture of things as they
ny tne exist ana looking to the condition of the Uni
ted States, OF France and of Europe the issuing of let
Iers oil arqne and rcprisal ought TO be authorized
any other measure adopted
| In the next place, the President confding in the
strong assurances of the Kings Government offs sincere
disposition TO fulfil, faithfully, the stipulation of the
treaty and OF its intention with that view of APPLYING
again to the Chambers the requisite
tions very properly signfcd during the last sumner
through the appropriate organs Washington and at
Pars ms willingness to await the issue of this experi
ment Until 1t is made, and whilst it is in progress
nothhg, At seems to the committee, should be done on
o9rPar TO betray suspicious of the integrity fidelity
OF the French Government; nothing, the tendency of
wn'c might PC TO defeat the success ofthc very
VIC desire lhis temporary forbearance is the more
pedicnt since the French Government has earnestly re-
quested that should avoid sail that might become n
cause of fresh irritation between the two countries
Prot the treaty. and raise up obstacle perhaps in
to the views ofreconciliaon and harmony
which animate the King Is council
The President seems to have been aware of the noss
Dity OF msnterprctation of his message and he has
soughtto guard the committee hope with success agans
ITS being viewed in the light of menace But If his
Recommendation be followed up by the passaoe of law
OF reprlsas in Congress, it is much be apprehended
that our purpose might be supposed be one of ntim
uaon france would look at our acts, proics-
| tatons. And, in reversal of situations Congress-
woud hardly consider ii consistent with its digni-
y, us independence, and the freedom of delibcra-
uoh, TO pass an act of appropriation for foreign
government with measure of scfredress denounced
ana suspended over its head by that foreign government
congress shall decline authorizing reprsals France
WIN nave no right to mputc TO the Government of the
United States any design to appeal TO her fara and ,
DC deprived OF any such prctext for refusing to execute
the treaty In that event, the message of the President
VIII be regarded as the manifestation Of lively sensible
" 10 ue honor and interests of his country but his re-
not being adopted by the only department
OF tne government competent to carry it into effect it
obligations OF national faith and Justice.
may and probably will be asked but suppose con-
ra TO all our just xpecatons France should continue
TO ail TO execute the treaty, what is then TO be done?
The committee will indulge no such supposon They
WIZ not anticipate the possibility of final breach by
France, OF her solemn engagements They limit them
serves TO consideration of the posture of things as ey
actually now exist They will not look bevond tle inn
penetrable veil which the future At the same time
II cannot be doubted that the IT, s. are abundany able TO
sustain themselves in any vicssitudes which they
be exposed The patriotism the people has been thcr
TO- equal to all emergencies; and if their courage and
consiaRcy, when they were young and compartiycIv
weak bore them safely through all past STRUGGLES the
nope may be confidently entertained now when their
numbers their strength and their resources are greatly
increased that they will, whenever the OCCASION may
arise, triumphontly maintain the honor the rights and
the interests OF their country. Without however pre-
maturey disclosing the mode of performing any duty
which the Government of the United States NAV in any
contingency hereafter be called upon fulfil to the pco
PIE Oh these States without expressing any authorizations
inconsistent with the honor and good faith OF announce
ing any purposes woundng TO the pride Of France the
committee think IT most expedent TO leave Congress I'M
etered and free TO deliberate whatever exiocncy NAV
/ benceforward arise.
Entertaining these opinions and views upon the pre-
sent state OF our relations with France the committee
hnaIy conclude by recommending to the Senate the
adoption OF the following resolution:
heSCirod, That NJ is inexpedent at this time to pass
any law vestng in the President authority for making
rePrsas upon French property, in the contingency Of
provision not being made for paying the United States
The Indemnity stipulated by the treaty of 1881 during
the present session Of the French Chambers.
Thlpsdoy January g, 1895
IN SENATE.
The Char communicated tie annual report Of the
state department showing the number fits Gle rks and
tile salaries Of each Laid on the table
Mi King, Of Alabama, gave notice that lac would TO-
morrow ask leave to bring in bill to enable George