Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-12-17

with the obnoxious amendment, supper
ted by the Kings Ministers, and was
finally approved by the King.
The People ofthe United States are
Justly attached TO a pacifc system IN
their intercourse with foreign nations.
II is proper, therefore, that they should
know whether their government has
adhered TO it. Ia the present instance
it has been carried to the utmost ex-
tent that was consistent with u becom-
ing seIf-respcct. The note OF the 2oth
ofJanuary, to which ] have before al
luded, was the only one which our Nj.
mister took upon himself the RESPONSE
bility ofpresenting, on the same SUBJ
ject, and in the same spirit. Finding
that it was intended to make the pay
ment Of a just debt dependent on the
performance of a condition which he
knew could never be complied with,
he thought it a duty to make another
attempt to convince the French Gov
eminent, that whilst self respect and
regard to the dignity to other nations
would always prevent us from using
any language that ought to give offence
yet we could never a6mit a right IN
any foreign Government TO ask cxpla-
nations Of, or interfere in any
manner, in the communications, which
one branch Ofour public councils made
with another that in the present case
no such language had been used, and
that this had in a former note been full.
" and voluntarily stated, before it was
contemplated TO make the explanation
a condition and that there might be
no misapprehension, hestated the terms
used in that note, and he officially in
formed them that it had been approved
by the President; and that, therefore,
every explanation which could reason
ably be asked, or honorably given, had
been already made-that the contem-
plated measure had been anticipated
by a voluntary and friendly declara-
ton, and was therefore not only USE
less, but might be deemed offensive, d
certainly would not be complied with,
if annexed as a condition.
When this latter communication, to
which | specially invite the attention OF
Congress, was laid before me, | enter
tanned the hope that the means it was
obviously intended to secure, Of an no.
norable aud speedy adjustment of the
difficulties between the two nations,
would have been accepted and | did
hesitate to give it my sanction and
full appreciation. This was due to the
who had made himself respon-
sible for the act, and it was published
before the People of the United States,
and is now laid before the representa-
lives, TO show how far the executive
has gone in its endeayors to restore a
good Misunderstanding between the two ma
ions. Ii would have been, at any time,
communicated to the Government of
France, had it been officially requested.
The French Government having re-
all the explanation which honor
md principle permitted, aud which
could in reason be asked, it was hoped
t wouldno longer hesitate topay the IN
,talments now due. The agent authoriz-
TO receive the money was instructed
70 inform the French government of his
readiness TO do so. In replyt to this no.
lice, he was told that the money could
not then be paid, because the lormali-
ties required by the act of the Cham
bers had not been arranged.
Not having received anyoficial COM
munication of the intentions of the
French Government, and anxious to
as far as practicable, this unPlca-
SAINT affair to a close before the meet
ing Of Congress, that you might have
the whole subject before you, caused
your Charge d'Affaires at Paris to be
instructed to ask for the final deter
mination Of the French Government,
and, in the event oftheir refusal to pay
the instalments now due, without fur.
Their explanations, to return to the Uni
ted States.
The result of this application has not
yet reached us, but is daily expected.
That it may be favorable, is my sin.
ccre wish. France now, through all
all the branches of her Government,
acknowledges the validity ofour claims
and The obligations of the treaty OILS
81 (; and there really existing no ade-
quate cause for delay, will, at length,
it may be hoped, adopt the course
which the interest of both nations, no:
less than the principles of justice, so
imperiously require. The treaty being
once executed on her part, little will re-
main to disturb the friendly relations
OF the two countries nothing, indeed,
which will not yield to the suggestions
ola pacific and enlightened policy, and
to the influence of that mutual good
will and oftboca~ 0pnarouc racpllnctionc