Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-11-10
POLITICAL.
(Er0m the Globe
RELATIONS wITu LR ANC

tn1t we tnink well before readers
the Official Document from the other side of the water
that the subject may be fully understood.
The reports of the proceedings of the French I.cgs-
lauve Chambers during their last session. the bill for
carrying into execution the treaty of July 4h 1885
with the United States voluminous tina, it would
require degree prepare them for publication
which even their Importance would scarcely warrant
we SHALL however, present 10 readers TRANSACTIONS of
the reports made by the committees in both Chambers
together with the speeches of the ministers present
ing the bill TO each.
The session of the French Chambers in which the bin
for carrying the treaty into effect rejected termi
mated the 9th of May, 1884. On the same day the
Chamber of Deputies dissolved, elections were
ordered and the goth of August fixed for the meet
ing OF the new Chamber A decree was however, is
sued the Both of June convoking the Legislature
the 3lst of July They met that day, when the King
delivered address, containing the following words
The laws necessary for carrying treaties effect,
and those still required for the accomplishment of the
promises the Chamber will be again presented you
in the course of the session.
No reference to the treaty made during this
sion, which prorogued the 10Th August To the
18th of December By decree of November 10th,
the interval shortened, and the Chambers were call
ed together the LIST of December when they met and
proceeded TO business without any address from the
throne.
On the 18th of January, 1885, NJ Human, the Minis
ter of Finance presented bill; and the
addressed the Chamber follows
Gentlemen The Government, intent upon the per-
formance OF its duties about To submit again for your
deliberations the measures necessary for carrying into eff
feet the treaty of July 4 1881 it preparing
fcnd them in the of Justice and ofthe political and
commercial interests OF France, and entertained hope
OF being able 10 impress you with its convictions
upon the subject The Message of the President of the
United States at opening Of the American Compress
arrived, and the execution of this plan suspended
The Government had then TO examine whether its duties
still remained the same-wheher the dignity of France
did not demand different finally, whether
there any means of reconcing the invaabe rules
of justice with the legitimate sentiment of national
honor.
The Kings Government, gentlemen, has no need of
ustyng itself before YOU with regard the reproaches
which the President of the United States has upon
it. Such controversy would be undignied and with
out object besides in the of the Debates every
explanation will be given which could be desired all
the documents requisite will be deposited the bureau
of the Chamber.
General Jackson has been in respecting the
tent of the faculties conferred upon by the Consilu
ton of the State but if he has been mistaken the
laws of country will fall into the
with regard TO the institutions of the United States
Now, the spirit and letter of those institutions authorize
us to regard the document above named the
sion of an opinion merely personal, long that OPT
Mon has not received the sanction of either of the other
two branches of the American Government. The Mes
sage is Government act which is still incomplete, and
should not lead to any of those determinations which
France Is IN the habit OF taking in reply TO threat or
insult.
We might gentlemen, wait until course is traced
out to us by the proceedings of Congress- but tempo
rising system has neither the advantage of giving
riy to commercial relations OF placing them
eventually under the protection of reprsals Moreover,
| the two Governments would thus be waiting each for
the other TO act and the distance between their
ing great the Legislative sessions would be closed both
at Paris and Washington, leaving this important
question undetermined and the subsisng irritation in
creased by the additional delay Under these circum-
/
The maintenance OF the national dignity the first
! object of lis solicitude. You know, gentlemen the
means adopted to provide for its security But the
treaty of July has not become less just less
geous, the conduct of the President of the United
States has not disturbed the basis of equity and
on which that compromise reposes the Government has
in its determination present it you again
An engagement has been entered into, and the of
France requires that it should be accomplished In this
important deliberation, the Chamber, we doubt not
while carefully watching with the national Dig
nifty will lose sight of those sentiments of GOOD feel
L ~ gIN tU ntInIf Tho
French and the American nations IL will have regard
to those high considerations of commercial power and
maritime force, which have always caused alliance
with the United States be regarded one Of the un
alterable rules OF our national policy.
In thus speaking, wish only to render due cons-
deraton truths long admitted place them in array
against passing Impressions and especially declare
that France inputes neither to the People tile
government oi the United States, the sentiments and
propositions lately expressed by the President We will
ngly view his Message to Congress- the asy of
one branch of the Government only and the honor of
the nation commands TO persist in that honorable
course which has ever been the policy of the Kings Co
/ veTnment.
You will scrupulousy examine gentlemen the motives
which render the adoption of the treaty requisite What
we principally request is that you would lay aside
to the subject ITSELF that is " the question Of the
right and the justice of the demands made by the Uni
ted States, and To the compensation offered in tile
cia advantages guaranteed TO France by the treaty
With these views, gentlemen, the Government again
presents TO you, through me- the bill which am now
about read il has however thought proper 10 intro
duce IN 1t contingent clause the prOpricty of which
you will doubtless adnitIis clause prohibits the pay
mcnt OF the stipulated by the treaty, until the in
tentons of the American Government have been clearly
evinccd; it is right and duty gentlemen render
that Government responsible for every of its acts
which may wound the dignity and the interests of
France
The Bill is follows
BILL.
ARTICLE !. The Minister Of France is authorized TO
place on The budgets for the years 1896 1887 1893 1892
lS40 and 1871 severaly the necessary for paving
in SIX equal nsalmcns, the principal of twenty-five
millions of ftancs payable by the of the treaty
concluded July a. 1871 between France and the United
States, the ratiicaons Of which were EXCHANGED al
Washington the Cd February 1872
Article II. The Of one million five hundred
thousand frances which the Government of the United
States has engaged pay TO France in six annual install
ments 90 exonefale itself from the claims Of French CT
tizcns and Of the public treasury, shall received be
placed IN separate arcie among the receipts on the
budget The Minister Of Finance shall have credit TO
the extent Of that amount for the payment Of the claims
which may have been allowed in favor of French cii.
zcns.
AGricIL III. The payments the SUN Of twenty.
i've millions Of francs shall not be made until IT shall
have been ascertaned that the Government Of the Uni.
ted States has done nothing to injure the interests Of
France.
The bill was Immediately referred to committee Of
nine. On the 25th Of March, NJ Dumon the Chairman
or Reporter as ne is lerned Of the committee present
ed the following
GESIrEMES The committee charged by you with
the examination Of the bill relative to the American
Claims has endeay0ed to merit the confidence thus pac.
ed IT. Called 10 prepare you for giving opinion
convention the circumstances lending which occur.
red long since, first duty throw light on The
question submitted for your deibcration and solution