The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-01-27


ed that, it they were disposed to pay the
/ money due TO us, they would notice any
public explanation of the Government of
the United States in the same way. But
contrary TO these well-loundcd cxpecta-
tioas, the French Ministry did rot take
this fair opportunity TO relieve themselves
from their unfortunate position, and TO do
justice to the United States. ,
Whilst, however, the Government of
the United States was awaiting the move.
ments ofthe French Government IN per.
feet confidence that the difficulty was NJ
an end, the Secretary Of Sale received
call from ihe French Charge dAffaires
in Washington, who desired TO read 30
hima letter he had received from the
French Mipisier of Foreign Afiaires.--
He was asked whether he was instructed
or directed to make any official communi-
cation, and replied, that he was only auiho-
rized to read the letter, aud furnish copy
ifrcquired. The substance of its con-
tents, il is presumed, may be gathered
from Nos. 4 and q, herewith lraEsm tied.
Ii was an attempt To mako known TO the
Government oflhe United States, private.
ly, in what manner il could make cxplana.
tons, apparently voluntary, but really die.
tated by France, acceptable TO her, ard
thus obtain payment of the twenty five
millions of francs. No exception was
taken TO this mode OF communication,
which is often used 10 prepare the way
for Official iltcrc curse but the suggos.
tons made in il were in thoir substance
wholly inadmissible. Not being in the
shape Of an official communication TO this
Government, il did not admit Of reply or
official notice. nor could it safely be made
the basis of any act OH by the Executive
or the Legislature ; and the Secretary of
State did not think proper to ask II copy,
because he could have no use for it.
Copies of papers marked Nos. ., 10,
and show an attempt, on the part of
the French Charge d'Ailairs, to place
copy of this letter among the archives Of
this Government, which, for obvious rca-
sons, was not allowed to be done nut
the assurance before given was repeated,
that any official communication which
he might DO authorized to make, in the
accustomed form, would receive prompt
and Just consideration. The indiscre-
ton of this attempt was made more man
iicst by the subsequent avowal OF the
French Charge d'Aflairs, that the object
was to bring this letter before Congress
and the American people. If foreign n
gents on n subject of disagreement be-
tween their Government and this, wish
to prefer an appeal TO the American Pco-
pie, they will hereafter, il is hoped, bet
ter appreciate their own rights and the
respect due to others, than TO attempt to
uso the Executive as the passive organ
of their communications.
II is due to the character Of our insti-
tutions, that the diplomatic intercourse Of
this Government should be conducted
with The utmost drectness and simplicity,
and that, in all cases of importance, the
communications received or made by the
Executive should assume the accustom-
ed official form. ii is only by insisting
on this form, that foreign Powers can be
held to full responsibility, that their COM
munications can bc officially replied to,
or that the advice or interference of the
Legislature can with propriety be invi
ted by the President. This course is al
SO best calculated, on the one hand, TO
shield that officer from unjust suspicious,
aud, on the other, TO subject this portion
Of his acts to public scrutiny, and, If oc-
c1sion shall require u, 10 constitutional
animadyersion. IL was the more neccs-
sary to adhere to these principles IN the
instance in question, inasinuch ns, in adj.
dition To other important interests, IT very
intimately concerned the national honor
IA matter, in my Judgment, much too
sacred to be made the object Of private
and unofficial negotlation.
II will bc perceived that this letter Of
the French Minister Of Foreign Affairs
was read to the Secretary of State on the
lith Of September last. This was the
first authentic indication Of the specific
views Of the French Government receiv-
ed by the Government Of the United
States after the passage Of the bill Of in
identification. inasmuch as the letter
had been written before the official no
ticc Of my approval of Mr. Liyingston's
last explanation and rcmonstrance could
have reached Paris, just ground OF hope
was left, ~ has been before stated, that
the French Government, on receiving
that information in the same manner the
alleged offensive message had reached
them, would desIst from their extraordin-
ary demand, and pay the money at once.
To give them an opportunity to do so,
and at all events To elicit their final de-
termination, and the ground they intend-
ed to occupy, the instructions were given
to our Charge d'Affaircs which were adj
yerted to nj the commencement of the
present session Of Congress. The result
as you have seen, is demand of an Of
fetal written expression of regrets, and
J,roe, ox,iauntin, n al frcs cd tD Fran q