Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-07-07

taken by Government is so just as not to admit
any thing like serious diversity of opinion among the
American people. Can we be mistaken in surprising,
that Tor once, in matter nearly affecting the interest
and honor OF the country shall present an undivided
DEPARrMESr or STATE.
July lst. 1885.
In consideration Of The many important interests con
neced with the relations between the United States and
France the President has directed the publication of
the following documents:
[hIr Livingston to the Due de Brogle.1
LEcArIoS UxrrED STATES
PANS, April 2jth, 1885.
His EScellcncy, the Dec III BRoGItr, &c
SIR About to return to my country am un vii
ling To leave this without adding effort the
many have heretofore made, to to both that
taal good understanding which their best interests
quiIc and which probable may interrupt and per-
haps permanently destroy.
From the correspondence and of his Majesty 3
Government since the Message OF The President of The
u 3 was known nj Paris, it evident that idea is
entertained OF making the ulhmcnt of the Treaty of
1881, dependent explanations to he given of terms
used in the Message, and of Withholding OF
acknowledged debt until satisfaction be even for sum
posed ndecorum for demanding it. The bare pcssibii
~ that this opinion Nigh be entertained ard acted upon
10y his Maesty's Government renders it incumbent
me to state explicitly what understand TO be the scnti
mens of mine ON this subject
Erroneous impressions, arising from the wGat OF pro-
per attention to the structure of Government the
Gutes OF ITS Chief Magistrate to the principles ii has
adopted and its strict adherence to them, ia similar
SEES, might raise expectations which could be
lzed, and lead to measures destructive TO alf armonv
between the parties This communication is made in
full confidence that it is the wish of his NIajcstys Co
vcrnment, it most sincerely that Of the President
TO avoid all measures of that descriptions and il hoped
therefore, that IL will be received the spirit by which
1t is dctated-that of Cancellation and peace.
The form of our Government and the functions of the
President rs component part Oft haze in srr relation
To this SUBJECT been sufficiently explained in my previ-
Gus correspondence especially in my letters to the Come
de Rgny of the 2)Ih OK January last have therefore
little TO add To that part of my representation winch
drawn from the form of Government and the dscs
oil the President in administering it, If these fully
mn
cannot be mistaken.
The President the hcfexccuvc pov,er, must have
free and entirely unfctiercd with the
coordinate powers of Government. AS the organ nom
icrcoursc with other nations he is the only ssh can be
which knowledge of relations with results from
conveyed To Tie Legislative branclSn ali restraint in
this, that the utmost frredcIlisJ 10 enter of inter.
the details INTO which IF the measures in relation 10
them ;s cssent;sIto the proper performance Vi li-S
important nn,c Of his functions he must exercise c
them without having continually before hih VIC ie' "
the snscc ptibity Of the powers whose con1ucl
he is Obliged to notice In the performance o thisuuty
nrietv for an indiscrcet TO his constituents tor dan
Paa PG1s ma s So ~ oesn
zeassiic. Were any foreign powers permitted
to scan2BN1 ANpmunications of to Executive, their
complains, whether real a!U'oot would involve
the country continual controversies for, the right
being acknowledged, 1T would IL duty To eSrfcis" ii
by demanding disavowal OF ovary phrase they might
deem offensive, and an explanation of every word
to which improper Interpretations conid be given
The principle therefore has been adopted that no TO-
reign power has right ask for explanations of any
thing that the President in the exercise ofs functions,
thinks proper to communicate TO Congress, of any
he may advise them TO pGrSue. Dhis rule is not
applicable to The Government OF The United States alone
but in common with it, 10 all those in which the
stutionnl powers dstributedino different branches.
No such nation, DESTROYS of avoiding foreign inf
foreign interference in its councils; such patton,
possessing due Of its dignity and Independence,
submit the conscOuenee9 Of other inteTfer
cnce. When these felt. they will be, all
must unite in repclling it, and acknowledge that the
United States are coniending in' cause common
to them ALL and more Important 10 the liberal Co
vcrnmcnts of Europe than even to themselves; for,
il is too obvious 10 escape the slightest attention,
that the monarchics Of Enrope,. by which they
surrounded, VIII nave all the advantage OF this
pcryison of the domestic councils of their ncghbors,
without being subject tn II themselves 1t is true
that in the Representative Governments OF Europe, Ex,
ccutvc communications to Legislative bodies have
the extension that is given to them nthe United States
and that they are, therefore less liable To attack that
quarter but they must not imagine themselves safe Ini
the opening address, guarded as 1T coamonAy is every
proposition made by the Ministry resolution of Ell
tier Chamber, will offer for the jealous inter-
ference of national punci0, for ali occupy the same
grounds No ntercommunication ofhc different branch
of Government will DC safe and even tue courts of
Justice will afford no sanctuary for freedom Of decision
and Of debate; and the susceptibility OF foreign Pow
must be consulted ia all the Departments Of Govern
mcnt Occasions for intervention in the affairs Of
other countries but too present without
opening another door to eneroacnenis; and is
To the argument TO say, that complaints will be
made but fer reasonable asc, andtha OF this the ma
uon complained o being The ludgc, no eva can
But this argument cOnccd cs tbeIigt Of examining The
commu nications in question wlnclris duncd; allow it,
and you viii have frivolous well as grave complaints
to answer and must only heal the wounds Of Just
national PRIDE but apply arVErdT.t0 hnse. Of morbid
Susceptibility To show hliny fear Of tho prog sssive
nature of the entertainments is not Imaginary pray
leave to call your Exceeicy attention to Tie enclosed
report from the Secretary Of State 20 tie President II
is Offered for illustration, not for complaint in.
structcd to make Because the Government Of
France has taken cxcrptOr to tho Presidents open-
ing message the Charge dAffairs of france thinks
IT lis duty TO protest against special cOnluIunica-
ton, and To point out TIE rpriicar passages in
rcspondence Of American Minister with. his own
the principle contest is Just tho Charge dAaircs is
right lac has done his duty vgilaut supervisor Of
tc Presidents couCspoUIcnce. II the principle is adj
mittcd every Acknowledgment at Washing will do
the sane, and shah have twenty Of the
respondcncc Of the Government and Of the public press
IL tho principle is correct every communication which
the President makes iaqsation ouforcgu affairs ci-
ther to the Congress or 10 the Public ought in prudence
TO be previously subcd to these ministers order 10
avoid disputes and trouble some and humiliating ex.
plantations. VI the EriReipc be submitted to- neither
dignity independence IS left TO the. aton. To
submit even To- discreet exercise of such priv.
lcgc, would be tgoabidsome and degrading, and the
inevitable abuse Of IL could be, borne ~ mast
therefore. be resisted at the Threshold and it's en-.
trance forbidden into the sanctuary Of domestic
sultatons But, whatever may DC the principles ofohcr
Governments. hose Of the IT, ar06gcd-thc rpht will
never be- acknowledge and any attempt enforce it.
will be repealed ~ ihe undivided energy Of tie nation
pray your EXoel,cncy TO observe that my argument
does not deny aILto all foreign powers Of taking pro-
per exceptions 70 tie governmental acts and language
Of another Il ia 10 their interference in les consulta
tons IN ITS proceedings while yet in inchoatc
that object Should the President DO Officially
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