The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-01-21
NUMBER 1874.
THE spECIAEMEssAGE.
N the Seun}a .,,,J EIa,... e n

session, informed you that our Charge d'Afiairs at
faris mad Deen instructed ask for the final deter
inInatcn of the French Government in relation TO the
OF the Indemn6caton secured BY the treaty of
The 4th OF July 1884, and that when advces of the re-
sun shai be received would be made the subject of
special communication.
In execution of this design, now transmit to YOU the
papers numbered from L TO I3, Inclusive containing
among other THINGS The correspondence ON this subject
between our Charge dAffairs and the French Minister
OF Foreign Affairs, from WHICH il will be seen that
France requires condition precedent 10 the exc
cuuon oil treaty Internationally ratified; and to the
payment OF debt acknowledged by all the breaches of
her Government TO be DUE that certain explanations
shall be made, OF which she dictates the terms These
terms are such as that Government has already been
offlcally informed cannot be complied with asd il
persisted In, they must be considered as deliberate
refusal on the part OF France fulfill engagements
binding by the laws of nations and held sacred by the
whole civilized world. The nature Of the act which
France requires from this Government is clearly set
forth in the letter OF the French Minister marked No. A.
we Will pay the money, says he. when the Govern
ent Of the United States ready on lis part to de-
clare 10 as By addressing its claim TO o6fcauy az,
trrfttag, that ii regrets the misunderstanding rnich
has arisen 6etTeen the t,ro countries that Ibis misrn-
derstdHdtHg rs founded on mistake that tt nerer
entered into its intention call question the good
faith Of the French Government nor 10 taksa senacfne
attitude totdrds France" and he adds, "nhe Cor
ernaent Of The United States does not gire is assur
dnce, ace shall be obliged TO think that this nisuuder
standing IS not the result of an error" j
In the letter marked No. o, the French Minister also
remarks that the Government Of the Cnited States
kn0rs that upon itself depends hencetorscdrd the ere
cation Of the Treaty of July A, 1884,"
Obllged by the precise language thus used by the
French Minister, t. view IT peremplorv refusal 10
execute the Treaty, except on terms incompatible
with the honor and independence of the United States
and persuaded that on considering the Correspondence
now submitted 10 you, you regard IT in no other
light becomes my duty call your attention 10 such
measures as the exigency of the demands if the
claim OF interfering in the communications between the
different branches of government shall be persisted
H. This preienson rendered the unreasonable
by the fact that the substance of the required expana
non has been repeatedly and voluntarily given before
II was insisted ON condiiion-a condition the NOR
Illuminating because IL is demanded the equiv aient
OF pecuniary consideration. Does France desire ONLY
declaration that we had intention to obtain our
rights by an address 10 her fears rather than to her s
tee She has already had it, frankly and explicitly
given by our Minister according 10 her Government
his actratihed by me, and my confirmation oft sfciay
communicated by him, in his letter the French Min
ister OF Foreign Affairs Of the 25th of April 1885, and
repeated by my public approval of that letter after the
passage OF the bill of indemni6cation. Does France
want degrading, seye repetition of this act in terms
which she shall dictate and which wall involve an ac
know Judgement Of her assumed right 10 interfere in
our domestic councilsl She will never obtain IT, The
spirit of the American People, the dignity of the Legis
laure, and the firm resolve of their Executive Govern
nent, forbid it, ....I y.
As the answer of the French Minister 10 our CHARGE
dAffaires al Paris contains allusion TO letter al
dressed TO the Representative of France at this place
it now becomes proper lay before YOU the
dence had between that unctonary and the Secretary
oil Slate relative to that letter, and 10 accompany the
same with such explanations will enable YOU TO nm
derstand the of the Executive in regard 10 r.
Recurring to the historical statement made al the COM
mencement of your session. Of the origin and progress
of difficulties with France, will be recolIected
that the return OF our Minister the United States
[ caused my official approval of the explanations he
had given to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs TO
be made public. As the French Government had no.
ticed the Message without its being officially coms,u-
nicated, not doubted that if they were disposed
to pay the money due to they would notice any pub
Inc explanation OF the Government of the United States
expectations the French Ministry did not take this fair
opportunity to relieve themselves from their unfortu-
nate position, and TO do justice the United States
Whilst, however, the Government of the IT, Sta,es
was awaiting the movements of the French Govern
ment In perfect confidence that the difficulty was AT an
end, the Secretary Of Stale received call from the
French Charge d'Afiaires in Washington, who desired
to read to HIM letter he had received from the French
Minister OF Foreign Affairs He was asked whether
he was instructed directed make any official COM
municatOn and replied that he only authorised IN
read the letter, and furnish copy, if required The
substsace of its contents presumed may be gather
ed from Nos. and 6, herewith transmitted Ii was an
attempt to make known to the Government of the
United States, privately, In what manner IL could make
explanations apparently voluntary but really 6iefated
by France, acceptable to her. and thus obtain payment
OF the twenty-five millions of francs. No exception
was taken to this mode of communicate which il
often used TO prepare the way for official intercourse
but the suggestions made in il were ia their substance
wholly nadmlssable. Not being in the shane of on
official communication to this Government Il did net
admit OF reply official notice, nor could il safely be
made The basis OF any action by the Executive or the
proper to ask copy, because he could have no use
for il.