Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-01-28
No. l8.....VoL. V[II--.

ult
France, it will be recollected that ON the ~
turn of our Minister to the United States
caused my official approval of the expana.
tons he had given to the French Minister Of
Foreign Affairs, to be made public. As the
French Government had noticed the Mes
sage without its being officially communica-
ted, 1t was not doubted that, if they were dis
posed to pay the money due to US, they would
notice any public explanation Of the Govern
ment Of the United States in the same WAY
But, contrary to these we'll founded expecta-
tons, the French Ministry did not 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 movements
OF the French Government, in perfect conf
dence that the difficulty was at an end. the
Secretary of War received call from the
French Charge d'Afaires in Washington,
who desired to read to him letter he had
received from the French Minister of For
eign Affairs. He was asked whether he was
instructed or directed to make any official
communication, and replied that he was on
ly authorized to read the letter and furnish
copy if requested. The substance of its con-
tents, it is presumed, may be gathered from
f an attempt to make known to the Govern
r ment of the United States, privately, in what
: manner it would make explanations, appa-
rently voluntary, but really dictated BY
France, acceptable to her, and thus obtain
> payment of the twenty five millions of francs.
e No exception was taken to this mode OF
= communication, which is often used to pre-
= pare the way for official intercourse but the
1 suggestions made in it were in their sub
4 stance wholly inadmissible. Not being in
the shape Of an official communication to the
Government, it did not admit of reply or Of
5 fetal notice, nor could it safely be made the
I basis of any action by the Executive or the
: Legislature; and the Secretary Of State did
1t not think proper to ask a copy, because he
l. could have no use for it.
n Copies of papers NAKED numbers Q, 10 {
II, show an attempt on the part Of the French
Charge d'Afaires, many weeks afterwards
to place copy of this paper among the ar
chiyes OF this Government, which for Obvi.
GUS reasons was not allowed to be done ; bu
the assurance before given was repeated
, that any official communication which he
might be authorized to make in the aCCu>
toned form, would receive prompt and
Just consideration. This indiscretion of this
attempt was made more manifest BY the sub
l. sequent avowal Of the French Charge DAT
II flares that the object was to bring this letter
t. before Congress and the American people
re If foreign agents, on a subject of disagree,
= ment between their Government and this,
he wish to prefer an appeal to the American
n people, they will hereafter, it is hoped, bet-
II ter appreciate their own rights, and the It.
4 spect due to others, than to attempt to use
the Executive as the passive organ of their
s. communications.
t. 1,,o 81 u
S, tons, that the diplomatic intercourse Of this
N Government should be conducted with thy
4, utmost directness and simplicity, and that in
IL cases of importance, the COMMUNICATIONS IT,
N ceiyed or made by the Executive, should as
n sumo the accustomed official form. 1t is on
a ly by insisting on this form, that foreigu
OF powers can be held to full responsibility
X that their communications can be Officially
: replied to; or that the advice or interference
as OF the Legislature can, with propriety, be
~ invited by the President. This course is also
II the best calculated, on the one hand, to
e. shield the officer from unjust suspicious &
nj on the other, to subject this portion of his
IS, acts to public scrutiny; & if occasion should
q. require it, to constitutional animadversioD
eS 1t was the more necessary 10 adhere to thesc
IN principles in the instance in question, mas
ed much as, in addition to other important int
e, rests, it very intimately concerned the ma
es tlonaIhonor; matter in my judgment, much
d. too sacred to be made the subject of private
G, and unofficial negotiation.
IN 1t will be perceived that this letter of the
at French Minister of Foreign Affairs was read
s. to the Secretary of State on the 18th of Sep
IN TENDER last. This was the first authentic
n information Of the specific views Of the
IL french Government, received by the Gov
ne eminent OF the United States after the pa
OF sage OF the bill of indemnifcation. Ina
70 much as the letter had been written befoT
ne the official notice of my approval of Mr. Liz
"a lngston's last explanation and remonstraneo
s, could have reached Paris, Just ground 0:
es hope was left, as has been before stated tina.
r the French Government, on receiving Thu
n, information, In the same manner the allege1
offending message had reached them, would
ID deslst from their extraordinary demand, anc
r pay the money at once. To give them an
pit opportunity to do so, and, at all events
ID elicit their final determination, g. the ground
r they intended to occupy, the instructions
n were given to our Charge d'Afaires which
I'd were adverted to at the commencement O.
to the present session Of Congress. The result
ne as you have seen, is demand of an offcia,
m written expression of regret, and direct e1-
IN PLANTATION addressed to France, with dis
LII tlnct intlmatlon that this is sine qua non.
ed Mr.. Barton having, in pursuance ofhis in
he structions, returned to the United States &
as the Charge d'Affaires of France having been
re recalled, all diplomatic intercourse between
IL the two countries is suspended-a state Of
e- things originating in an unreasonable ,us-
n eeptibitity on the part of the French Govern,
Ie- ment, and rendered necessary on our part
IN their refusal to perform engagements contain,
er ed in a treaty, from the faithful perfomanr'
II, OF which by US they are to this day enjoying
81, many important commercial advantages.
N 1t IS time that this unequal position Of al
lily fairs should cease, and that legislative action