State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-02
FRANCE & THE U. STATES.
THE SUPPRESSED LETTER"
From The NJ Y. Jour. Of Commerce.
Lefterof The duke de Br0glie TO NJ Pdge0t



From The NJ Y. Jour. Of Commetce.
Lefterof The duke de Brogiie TO NJ. Page0t.
PARIS, 17th June, 1885.
SiR,-Thcre no longer exists on Our part
any obstacle to the entire accomplishment
of the treaty concluded on the 4th OF July,
1881, between France and the L. $. The
project ollaw relative to the indemnitles re-
ciprocally stipulated by that treaty, after
having successfully passed the two Cham
bers, has received the royal sanction
say on our part for every thing now
depends on the U. States it belongs to
10 them TO remove the only obstacle that
still subsists. BY virtue ola clause insert
ed in Art. LIST by the Chamber of Deputies,
the French Government must defer making
the payments agreed upon, until that Of the
United States shall have explained tie true
me1ning and real purpor OF divers passag-
cs inserted by the President of the Union
in his Message, al the opening Of the last
session Of Congress, & at which all France
at the first aspect was Justly offended.
The Government having discovered no.
thing in that clause al variance with its own
sentiments, or the course which it had in
tended TO pursue, the project Of law, thus
amended on the 18th of April by the Cham
Der of Deputies, was carried on the 9Th 10
the Chamber Of Peers. | herewith annex
the expose which accompanied it. That
document will show you, in few words,
in what light we consider the respective po-
siions of the two countries. | also annex
the report Of the committee, presented TO
the Chamber of Peers on the 9Th of June.
You will thereby see how far that House
concurred in the opinion Of the Chamber OF
Deputies.
Mr. Livingston has left Paris, without
waiting for the vote Of the Chamber OF
Peers, leaving Mr. Barton as Charge DAT
fairs. The letter by which he accredited
him TO the French Government, is of the
28th Of April. You will find copy Of it
subjoined.
In note dated 9th, Mr. Livingston as
signs as the cause his departure, the sill
cnce observed by the French Government
in relation TO previous note of the 18th,
in which that Minister, agreeaby to orders
from his Government, demanded the eX-
PLANTATION Of an expression made use OF 10y
Mr. Serrurier in a note he passed TO Mr.
Forsyth at the time he left. That cXpla-
nation, sir, we will show ourselves very
willing 10 furnish, if it should be asked for
again, when we ourselves shall have rccei-
we'd those which we have a right TO expect.
Annexed are copies Of the two notes Of
the 18th and 9th.
On the 25th Mr. Livingston had address
sed 10 me a third note of great length, in
which, whilst he fOrbeaTs marked alluson
to the amendment introduced by the Cham
Der OF Deputies, he fully enters into its
principle and probable consequences, as
you may ascertain by reading that paper,
AS long as the amendment was but a SIM
pie project, the initiative of which did not
even belong TO the Government, | thought
proper to abstain from ente ring into any
controversy on this subject with the minis
ter OF foreign Government. Now that
that project has become law by the con-
currence Of the two Chambers and the sane
ton OF the King, il is my duty TO justify it
againstobjections which are utterly ground
less.
shall first recall few facts.
The project Of law relative 10 the exc
cution Of the Treaty signed on lhe 9TH OF
July, 1881, had been presented three times
10 the Chamber OF Deputies, viz: the 9th Of
April, l933-the 18th OF June Of the same
year-and the 9Th Of Jan. Of the year fol-
lowing, when il was rejected by majority
Of eight votes on the first Of April, 1884.
The news OF its rejection was known al
Washington on the 9Th OF May, through a
packet which sailed from Liverpool on the
9Th Of April.
On the 9TH of June Mr. Serrurier inform
cd the Secretary Of State, that the Kings
Government had determined To present a.
new the project Of law at the next session
Of the Chambers. The loss Of the bill hav-
ing occasioned the resignation Of the Min
lister who had signed it, and this circum-
stance having caused different changes in
the Cabinet, The Government could not del
initely adopt that determination until the
9Th ofApri. The brig lie Curassicr, bear
or Of new instructions 10 Mr. Serruricr, had
moreover met with long and stormy pas
sage.
At the express request Of Mr. McLane,
then Secretary Of State, Mr. Serrurier COM
municated, the next day, in wiring, the
declaration which he had already made vel
bally. His note is dated the 9th Of June.
The reply Of Mr. McLane is Of the 9Th.
In this reply, Mr. McLane states in express
Terms, in the name Of his Government, hat
the President Of the United States ,cW rely
on the assurances Mr. Ser11rier has been in
structed 10 giue him, and lcH lcdH hercqf-
ter wih confidence for the appeal that is 10
be made TO the netg Chamber.
Mr. Serrurier, in his note Of the 9Th Of