Litchfield enquirer., 1836-01-28

ADVANCE that ihey will consider our refusal
I" max" this degrading apology an evidence
th"t the Misunderstanding did nut proceed on
our part from mere error and mistake.
In addition to al this, the last note Of the
Duke de BrOglie, to Mr.. Barton, declares.
that the Government Of the United States
knows that hence(Orward the execution Of
the treaty must depend upOn itself. They
thus leave us to decide whether we shall make
the apology in the prescribed terms. or aban-
don our claim to the fulflment Of the treaty.
He would not allow himselftO express the
feelings which were excited in his mind upon
hearing these letters of the Duke de BrOgle
read. Most sincerrIy-mOst ardently did he
hone, that the French Government, when
this message reached them. If not before,
might reconsider their determination. and
that all our difficulties might yet pass away
But their language is now clear, specific, in
capable Of ambiguity or doubt. would
then become our duty calmly, bot firmly, 4"
take such stand as the interests and the hon
or of the country may reqMire.
Mr.. b. had already said much more than he
intended when he rose. He would, however,
make another remark before he took his seat.
He felt a proper degree Of confidence, he
might add great degree of confidence in he
President Of the United States. He knew
him to be honest and firm, and faithful to his
country; prompt to resent its injuries and
avenge its wrongs. He confessed he had an.
ticipated message of stronger character.
| He had supposed that general: non inter-
course with France would, at least, have been
recommended. But the recommendation
was confined to the mere refusal to admit
French ships or French productions to enter
our ports. II left France free tn receive her
supplies of cotton from the U. States, without
which the manufacturers Of that country
could not exist. This was wise; it was pru-
dent; it left to France to judge for herself If
this unnatural contest must still continue,
whether she would close her ports against our
vessels and our productions.
! In the spring Of 1882, kMr. b did not rcol-
lect precisely the timr,( Congress passed an
act I" carry into effect our part Of the treaty.
Under this treaty, the wines Of France had ev-
er since been admitted into the United States
upon the favorable terms therein stipulated
Her SILKS were imported free Of duty, in con-
tradistinction to those which came from be-
yOnd the Cape Of Good Hope. She had for
years been enjoying these privileges. Moth
ded than to- withdraw these advantages from
| her, and to- exclude her vessels and her pro-
ductions from our ports.
! Mr.. Calhoun replied that he had been con-
cerned to hear the Message read. He had
heard it with very different feelings from
those expressed by the gentleman from Penn
sylvania. He himself, had never heard any
Message with more profound regret. except
one which, instead Of attacking France. was
aimed against the Severely States of this
Union. He had come to this city. convinced
that there was no possibility Of war; not that
he had been blind. to the various circumstan-
ces Of an anxious character that existed; bat
because he had deemed the cause itself to"
| frivolous 10 plunge into war two great natIons,
both living under popular governments, and
! actuated by feelings, in great degree, con-
| genial to each other. Under these Hnpres-
sions he had not for moment. believed that
the peace of these countries could be disturb
ed, and, least of all that we should, enter into
act.,al war with IN: ancient ally. The Mes
sage received to- day had dispsIIed this illusion.
and the speech Of the gentlemen from Penn
syvania had lid him to apprehend the worst
consequences. He would not say that war
was intended by the President, but he would
v, the language Of the President evincrd. as
far as his capacity reached a disposition to
war. He would gostill further, and AS he was
bound in candorto say, declare that from the
beginning of this controversy, the only course
which could have plunged US in war, was the
very course pursued by the administration His
love oEcountry, his regard for all interests,
his attachment to justice, all compelled him
to say, that if war should ensue, zoe are the
authors of it, and that We shall incur all this
resp possibility.
After the present King of France came to
the throne, from the very beginning Of his
reign, the utmost good will was manifested
10 this country. He came to the throne ON
popular principles, and General La fayrtte act
ed the part Of mutual friend between US and
his government. But, even at that time,
when VIC pressed our claim, we were warned
that the French Chambers might not acq"I-
esce, and that the payment must depend ON
their sanction. Even when Mr.. Rives urged
our claim, he was told by the King that he
was prepared to recommend the payment,
but he feared that the Chambers would not
vote appropriation. How wonderfully pro-
phetic was the language, used at that time
Our minister was told. that If we urged our
claim at that moment, France, instead OF be-
Jog on more friendly footing with us. might
be made to stand in more unfriendIy posi-
ton. Still our ministers urged the claim
But he (Mr. Calhoun( put It to any man OF
honorable feeling if this did not 10 itself con-
sttute a restriction on the treaty, and make 1t
conditional act on the part Of the French
ministers. Such was the implied obligation
on the part of France. What was the obi.
gatiun on our part Il was that we should
throw no impeachment in the way OF the trea-
Nv, And what had been our conduct 1"
the first pIace, our minister writes home
Aattering description of his own diplomatic
L;u vph,& xvas nOt indeed. a fit subject Tor