Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-12
IS dark or doubtful and to afford The fullest and

Is dark or doubtful, and to afford the fullest and
clearest calculations on all points. We mlgnt,
indeed, proudly and codly hold up the treaty un
our hand, and say to France, here is your oono'
which we demand you Immediately to discharge.
But We owe il to our character, to truth, 10 JUS
tice. to the dignity OF the nation, TO satisfy the
French Chamber and the whole world, that,
although our demand is sanctioned and justneo
by the solemn obligations Of a national compact,
We would scorn to insist upon II, II 1t were not
also sustained by the immutable principles Of
eternal justice.
In recommending adherence yet longer to ne
ootiation, for the purpose indicated, the com.
mittee are encouraged by the past experience OF
this Government. Almost every power OF Eu-
rome. especially during the wars Of the french
revolution, and several OF those Oh the new
states on the American continent, nave, rom
time TO time gwen to the onitea S.a,es Jus'
cause Of war. Millions OF treasure m'ght nase
been expended, and countless numbers OF nu-
man beings been sacrificed, If the United STATES
had rashiy precipitated themselves into state
of war upon the occurrence oil every wrong
But thew did not Other and more moderate
and better counseIs prevailed. The result at
tested their wisdom With most OF the pow
ers, by the instrument Of negotiation. appearing
TO the dictates Of reason and justice, we nave
happiy compromised and accommodated the
negotiations Of near a quarter century's AURA
ton; after repeated admissions OF successive 60
yernments Of France of the justice of some por-
ton of our claims, but after various REFUSES,
under one pretext or another. We have adVanc-
ed not retrogradeG. France. by solemn trea-
". has admitted the justice and stipulated to pay
n specified sum in satisfaction of our claims. -
Whether this treaty is morally and absolutely
binding upon the whole French people or not,
il is the deliberate act of the royal executive
branch Of the French Government, which
speaks treats, and contracts with all foreign ma
tons for France. The execution of the stpula-
tons Of such treaty may be delayed-post-
poned, AS We have seen-contrary to lie wisnes
of the Kings government; but sooner or later
they must be fulfilled, or France must submit to
the degrading stigma Of bad faith.
Having expressed these views and opinions,
the committee might content themselves and
here conclude; but they feel called upon to say
something upon the other branch OF the aliefna-
tive stated in the outset, as having been present
ed by the president Of the United States to the
consideration ofCongress The President is I'M
der conviction, that the United States ought to
insist on a promp, execution Of the treaty; ana,
in case il be refused or longer delayed take re-
dress in their own hands. He accordingly re-
cOmmends that law be passed, authorizing re-
prisas upon French property. in case provision
Shall not be made for the payment OF the deDt,
Chambers. This measure he deems OF pacInc
character, and he thinks it may be resorted 10,
without giving just cause OF war. -,
Ii is true that the writer's on the public law
speak and treat Of reprisals as peaceful remedy
in cases which they define and limit. 1t is Ger.
taihly a very compendious one, since the injured
nation has only TO authorize the seizure and
sale of sufficient property of the debtor nation,
or its citizens to satisfy the debt; and If it quietly
submit to the process, there is IN end OF the bu-
siness. In that case, however, We should feel
some embarrassment as the exact amount OF the
French debt for " hich we should levy-because
being payable in six instruments, with interest,
computed from the day Of the exchange oil the
ratiicatonso of the treaty. (February 1892 only
two Of those instruments are yet due-Shnuld we
enforce payment Of those two only, and resort
to the Irritating il not hazardous remedy of re-
reprisas as the others shall successfully fall dues
or. in consequence of default in the payment of
the frs, two. consider them all now due and levy
for the whole2
Reprisas do not Of themselves produce state
Of public war; but they are not unfrequenty Inc
immediate precursor of 1t When they are &C
companied with an authority, from the Govern
nent which admits them, to employ force, they
are believed invariably TO have led 10 war in all
cases where the nation against which they are
directed is able TO make resistance. II is wholly
incunceiveabe that powerful and chIvalr0us
nation like France, would submit without retalia.
ton, to the seizure of the property of her unof:
Tending citizens, pursuingtheir lawful commerce
to pay debt which the popular branch of her
legislature hid refused to acknowledge and pro-
vide for. 1t cannot be supposed that France
would tacitIy and quietly assent tn the payment
of debt to the United States. by II lorcibIe Sci
zure Of French property, which, after full delib
Grafton, tie Chamber had expressly refused
its consent to discharge. Retaliation would en-
sue. and retaliation would inevitably terminate
in war In the instance Of reprIsas made by
France upon Portugal, cited by the President
the weakness of this power, convulsed and des-
olated by the ravages of civil war, sufficiently
accounts for the fact Of their being submitted to,
and not producing state OF general hostllltles
betu cen tie two nations
Rrprisals so lar partake of the character OF
war that they are an appeal from reason I"
force; from negotiation, devIsing remedy to be
applied by the common cunsent of both parties
to self redress, carved out and regulated by the
will Of one Of them; and, If resistance be made,
they convey an authority to subdue 1t, by the sa
crfice OF life IL necessary.
The trainers of our constitution have m anifes-
ted their sense Of the nature of this power, toy
assOciating il i'm the same clause with grants 10