Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-12-10
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- 90

o"Ni 'h's h"rning ~ nall past d ~ 'clors, we re
cei'ed the New York papers OF last evening, con-
tanning the Presidents Message delivered on Tues
day at l2 O'Clock. TWAS received by express in
New-fork in i3 hours from Washington. The
Message occupies eight close columns in the Com
mercial Advertiser. Mr.. Polk has been elected
Speaker Of the House, and Blair g. Ri,es print
ers
At this late hour, we have only time TO extract
the closing part of the Presidents remarks on the
French question. The subject, however, is very
fully and clearly discussed, and its history again
recaPituaied, ''but (says the Conmercial) as we
read it, in spirit that will be received MS bellige-
rent in France" For ourselves, we do not think
the message particularly warIke.
The other parts of the Message are well drawn
up. (thOugh evidently by new handy and exhibit,
generally, satisfactory state Of our affairs at
home and abroad
The President after denying any intention
to menace or insult the government of France
In his last message, goes on to say
"When It was understood that the ministry
Of the present King took exception to my
message Of last year, putting a construction
upon it which was dsavowed on its face, our
late minister at Paris, in answer to the note
which first announced u dissatisfaction with
the language used in the message, made u
communication to the French government
under date of the 29lh Of Jan. 1885, calcula-
ted to remove all impress ions which an unrea-
sonable susceptibility had created. He re-
peated, and called the attention of the French
government to, the disavowal contained in
date by menace-he truly declared that it
contained, and was intended TO contain, no
charge OF i'll faith against the King Of the
French, and properly distinguished between
the right to com plain, in unexceptionablc
terms, OF the omission to execute an agree
ineut, aud an accusation of bad motives in
withholding such execution--a dcmons;ra-
ted, that the necessary use of that right ought
not ~ be considered as an offensive lnputa-
ton. Although TINS communication was made
without instructions, and entirely on the MIN.
ister's own responsibility, yet 1t was after
wards made the act OF this Government by
my full np, rotation, and that appreciation was
icaly made known on the 25th Of April.
1855, to the French Government. 1t, how
ever, tuile d To have any effect. The law, af-
ter this friendly explanation, passed witt the
obnoxious amendment supported by the
Kings Ministers, and was finally approved
by the King.
The People Of the United Safes are Justly
attached to u paciic system in their inter-
course with foreign nations. It's proper there
fore, that they should know whether their
Government has adhered to it. In the pres
ent instance, it has been carried to the Ut
most extent that was consistent with u be-
coming seli-respect. The note of the 2Sh
Of January, to which have before alluded,
was not the only one which our Minister took
upon himself the responsibility Of PRESENT. q,
on the same subject, aud in the same spirit
Finding that It vas Intended to make the
payment ot Just debt dependant on the per-
for,iancc of a condition which he knew could
never be complied win, he thought it IL duty
to make another attempt to convince the
French government. that whilst selt-respcct
and regard To the dignity of other nations
would always prevent us,irom using any Ian
guage that ought to give offence, yet VIC could
never admit ght III anytorclgn government
to ask explanations OF, or to Interfere in any
manner in, the communications which one
branch of our public councils made with a
mother; that in the pres ent case, no such Ian
guage had been used, aud that this had in Il
former note been fully and voluntarily stated,
before il was contemplated to make the eX
planatiOn a condition: and that there might be
no misapprehenslon, he stated the terms US
ed in that note, and he officially informed them
that it had been approved by the President;
and that, therefore, every explanation which
could reasonably be asked. or honorably CIV
en-, had been already madc-that the con-
templated measure had been anticipated by
voluntary and friendly declaration, and was
therefore not only useless, but might be
deemed offensive, and certainly would not
be complied with, if annexed US condition.
When this latter communication, to which
I especially invite the attention Of Congress,
was laid before me, entertained the hope
that tn means it was obviously intended to
afford, of an honorable and speedy adjust
ment of the difficulties between the two ma
tions, would have been accepted; and there
fore did not hesitate to give it my sanction
and full appreciation. This was due to the
Minister who had made himself responsible
for the act; and it was published to the peo-
pie of the Omitted States, and is now laid be-
fore their representatives, TO show how far
their Executive has gone in its ondeavors to
restore Il good understanding between the
two countries. 1t would have been, at any
time communicated to the government of
France, had it be officially requested.
The result Of this last application has not
vet reached us, hut is daily expected. That
il may be favorable is my sincere wish.-
France having now, through all the branches
of her Government, acknowledged the valid.
" of our claims, and the obligation of the
treaty of 1881; and there really existing 10
adequate cause for further delay, will, at
length, it may be hoped, adopt the course
which the interests of both nations. not less
than the principles of justice, so imperiousIy
require. The treaty being once executed on
her part, little will remain to disturb the
- e tb. t,vn ptrip u,,tu-