Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-11

WAsnISoroS, Feb. 9.-1hc message of ves,c,d,y
contains an official ammo that the British CO.
vernment has rendered the offer OF its mediation for The
settlement of tho difficulties now existing bet,xs,,,
France and the United States that so far as the
,ure oil The case would allow, this offer has prompt
iy accepted by the Executive. As is not vet known
whether France will accept on her part il vas preba
oy deemed premature and nexpcdicni, the present
time, TO lay before Congress the correspondence on the
subject. We have, however received such nformaton
IN regard 10 it, to be able correct some of the e,r
Journals " ~ P~
The proposal made to, and accepted by, this Co
veInmen In the ordinary form of diplomatic intercourse
Mr.. Bankhead, the Charge Afarcs of Great Britain
pursuant to instructions received from his
addressed to the Secretary of State, fierng The
mediation, Which feplicd to- under the direction OF
the President by the Secretary of State.
The letter Of MIR. Bank head, (Which is probably a
counterpart OF the proposal addressed to the French
Government) whilst IL expresses the regret with which
the British Government has Witnessed the
misunderstanding between France and the w. s. is un.
dersood 10 be entirely respectful to both parties Great
Britain being closely united each Of the two powers
and entertaining for both the friendly feelings il
induced to propose her good Offices for tile adjustment
OF their difficulties, under the belief that il may he ef
iec'eu on principles OF justice. and in manner
sstent with the sentiments of national honor The
eter OF r Forsyth, as understand recprocates the
friendly sentiments expressed by the British Govern.
ment, and without indulging in needless accusation
gives such view of the present posture Of the subject
as TO show, that the refusal of France to execute the
treaty OF 1881, amounts 10 a denial of justice on her
part and when connected with the pretension on which
that refusal is founded involves national ntcyess Of
the highest ORDER nasmnch it proceeds on the as
SUMPTION that foreign power whose spoken Of
by The President of the United States in message trans
United by him 10 Congress, in obedience TO his con-
stituional duties and which deems itself aepreyed by
the language thus held by him, may as a matter Of
right, require from the Governments Of The u States n
alec., oiiciai explanation OF such language under the
penalty OF such consequences the offended party NAV
think proper to prescribe The ncompaliblty Of this
Pretension with the theory of Constitution and with
the practice under 1.-THE ground taken by the pres
dent IN regard to 1.-THE mpossibiy of his departing
from that groundand his conseq uent inability 10 SUBJ
eca point essential 10 the and honor Of
ms country, TO the control of any foreign power chow
ever great might be his confidence in It's nslce or inn
paruaiyD or to do or consent to any by which the
influence OF this principle: in the action of our poIt
cal system can be obstructed impaired arc as We
understand fully stated by the Secretary of State With
this avowa of the Presidents sentiments on this point
and an explicit reservation Oft the offer of mediation il
accepted and the hope is expressed that the good Offices
OF third party, guided by the elevated consideration.
which have prompted its inerposition, may be success
u IN restoring al the reiatons OF France and The United
states 70 friendly footing Such understand is in
1e Tie tenor OF the response given by the Executive to
the proposal of Great Britain.
In connexon with the foregoing statement VIC also
think 1t proper to say, that informed The letter
OF acceptance contains disavowals Of any in
ention to menace France question the good faith
oil her King, in the Message of 1884 On that sub-
Jeci Mr. Livingston in his official character spoke OF
an early day in The Of his Government and his
statements were subsequently approved by the Pres-
dent through the Secretary of State and by his nes
sage at the commencement of the present session -
ihe appreciation thus expressed includes both in form
and substance all the explanation that can eyer ~.
given consistently with the nature of orr government
and The circumstances of the In speaking on tho
occasions referred to- of the character and design of the
Message of 1894 the President did not at all deart from
the ground on which he has always stood in this conro
yersyj because, in both cases lac addressed himself TO
iunclonarics OF the American Government in the exer
c'se OF mat very duty OF INSTRUMENTATION with them
Tor The inyoaby of which, by foreign powers he has
so strenuousy contended To have entered into further
explanations on this point, with third party es-
pecaily after the demands recently made by The French
have involved abandonment of the
principle in question: and in other respects have been de-
rogatory to the character of the nation
The acceptance Of the offered medation whilst il il
SO guarded as not TO cOmpromt in the slightest dcprer
the essential interests of The country has vet been made
win such prompiness, and in manner so frank aud
conciatory that however IL may result it most neccsa
Ihy strengthen the already inconiesiibie justice our
course II ~ proof added 10 the many before Oh
ven, OF the desire Of the United States 10 come
10 good understanding with the Government Of France
Government and may issue in the performance Of her
engagements, and in the restoration of friendly inter.
course and kind feeling between the two countries,
must cert1iDly be the wish Of every American
Time only determine whether this yg;sl, is 10 he
realized In the MEANWHILE it is doubtless due 10 tho
high character OF the mediang power as well as 10 the
coneihatory sentiments implied in acceptance Of Tic
oter la the discussion Of rctaatory measures on the
part Of The United States be suspended until tho in.
tended course Of France shall have been satisfactorily
asoeI'ained But u Is perfectly consistent with the
Pachc motives which prompted the acceptance Of tie
mediation, and with the hopes il is calculated 10 jn-
sPre, that we should proceed without delay rs recon-
mehoed by the President to make the requisite prepare
uons Tor projecting commerce. and for placing our
seaboard in complete state Of defence The duty-tlc
indispensable dutyof proceeding with these mfaenres
IS TOO obvious 10 need comment And trust the Ma
tonal Legislature WILL in ibis instance. c1emphfy i'm
their acts the wisdom of The remark to which every one
~ theory, is 80 ready to assent that The surest and
cheapest defence against aggression timely and adc-
qoaie preparation to repel .--Giobo.
NOTlCE.-A petition will be presented 10 tl,e pre-.
sem 1egls'anfe o. Virginia praying for charter