The Arkansas advocate., 1836-02-19

show af attempt, on the part of the French Gharged siffaires, to place copy ofthls let ter among the archives of this government, which, for obvious reasons, was not allowed to be done; but the assurance before given was repeated, that any official communities ton which he might be authorised to make, in the accustomed form, would receive U prompt and just consideration. The indis- eretion of this attempt was made more mani fest by the subsequent avowal of the French Charge d'Affaires, that the object was to bring this letter before congress and the A ,nerican people. If foreign agents, on sub feet of disagreement between their govern :. ernment and this, wish to prefer an appeal to the American people, they will hereafter, it is hoped, better appreciate their own rights and the respect due to others, than to attempt to use the Executive as the passive organ of their communications.
 It is due to the character of our institutions that the diplomatic intercourseoft this govern snent should be conducted with the utmost di- rectness and simplicity; and that, in all cases of importance, the communications received or made by the Executive should assume the official form. It IS only by insisting on this form, that foreign powers can be held to full responsibility, that their communications can be officially replied to, or that the advice or interference of the legislature can with propriety be invited by the President. This ce5.rse is also best calculated, on the one hand to shield that officer from unjust sus- picion, and on the other, to subject this DOT ton of his acts to public scrutiny, and if oe- casion shall require, to constitutional animad- version. 1t was the more necessary to ad- here to these principles in the instance in question, inasmaeh as, in addition to other important interests, 1t very intimately con- cerned the national honor-a matter in my judgment, much too sacred to be made the subject of private and unofficial negotiation.
 twill be percieged that this letter of the French Minister Of Foreign Affairs was read to the Secretary of State on the 1lth of Sept. last. This was the first authorised authentic indication of the specific views of the French government received by the government of the United States after the passage of the bill of indemnification. Inasmuch as the letter had been written before the official no- tiee of my approval of Mir. Llvingston's last explanation and remonstrance could have reached Paris, just grounds of hope was left, as had been before stated, that the French government, on receiving that information in the same manner the alleged offensive mes- sage had reached them, would desst from their extraordinary demand, and pay the mo- ney at once. To give them an opportunity to do so, and at all events to elicit the ground they intended to occupy, thu instructions were given to our Charge d'Affaires which were adverted to at the commencement of the present session of Congress. The result as you have seen, IS demand of an official written expression of regrets, and a direct explanation addressed to France, with dis tinet Intimation that this is sine qua ls3a.
 Mr. Burton having, in pursuance of his fT1- structions, returned to tire United 5tates, and the Charge d Afaires of France having been recalled, all diplomatic intercourse between the two countries Is suspended-a state of things originating in an unreasonable suseep- tibility on the part of the French government, and rendered necessary on our part by their refusal to perform engagements contained in a treaty, from the faithful performance of which, by us, they are to this day enjoying many important commercial advantages.
 It IS time that this unequal position of af- fairs should cease, and that legislative action should be brought to sustain executive exer- tion in such measures as the case requires While France persists in her refusal to con- ply With the terms of treaty, the object of which was, by removing all causes of mutual complaint, to renew ancient feelings of friend ship, and to unite the two nations in the bonds of amity and of mutually beneficial commerce, she cannot justly complain if we adopt such peaceful remedies as the law of nations &t1e circumstances of the case may authorize and demand. Of the nature of these remedies have heretofore had occasion to speak, and, in reference to particular contingency, to express my conviction that reprisals would be best adapted to the emer- gency tLen contemplated.
 Since that period, France by all the de- partments of her government, has acknowl- edged the validity of our claims and the ubii- gations of the treaty, and has appropriated the moneys which arc necessary to it's eXeeu- ton; and though the payment is withheld on grounds vitally important to our existence as an independent nation, 1t is not to be beliav- cd that she can have determined, permanent ly, to retain position so utterly indefensible. In the altered stlte of the questions in con- troversy, and under all existing crcum- stances, 1t appears to me that until such a determination shall have become evident, 1t will be proper and sufficient to retaliate her present refusal to comply with her engage ments, by prohibiting the introduction of French products and the entry of French vessels into our ports. Between this and theinterdiction of all commercial intercourse, or other remedies, you, as the represent atlves of the people. must determine. l re- commend the former, in the present posture ot our affairs, as being the least injurious to our commerce and attended with the least diff