South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-01-23

4 nation, and the ground they intended to
occupy 1.-The instructions were given to
our Charge d Affaires which were adyer-
1 ted to at the commencement of the pres
sent session of Congress. The result, as
you have seen, is demand of an official
written expression of regrets, and d.
| rect explanation addressed to France.
with distinct intimatlon that this is a
SINE qua NON.
X. Mf.s Barton having, in pursuance Of
| bis instructions, returned to the United
States, and the Charge d'Affaires Of
France having been recalled, all diplo.
matte intercourse between the two
countries is suspended--a state OF
things originating in an unreasonable
susceptibility on the part Of the French
Government, and rendered necessary
on our part by their refusal to perform
engagements contained 10 a treaty, from
the faithful performance Of which, by
us, they are to this day enjoying many
important commercial advantages.
II is time that this unequal position
Of affairs should cease, and that legis-
lative action should be brought to sus-
tain executive exertioa in such mea.
sures as the case requires. While
France persists in her refusal to COM
ply With the terms Of treaty, the OBJ
|ject Of which was, by removing all
causes Of mutual complaint, 10 renew
ancient feelings of friendship, aud 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 and the ciycum-
stances Of the case may authorize and
demand. OF the nature of these rem.
edies | have heretofore had occasion
to speak, end, in reference TO partic-
ular contingency, to express my con-
yiction that reprisals would be best a.
dapted to the emergency thea contem.
plated.
Since that period, France, by all the
Departments Of her Government, has
acknowledged the validity Of our
Claims, aad the obligations Of the trea-
ty, and has appropriated the moneys
which are necessary to its execution !;
and, though payment is withheld on
grounds vitality important TO our exis-
tence as an independent Nation, ii is
| not TO be believed that she can have
determined, permanently, TO retain a
position SO utterly indefensible. La the
altered state Of the questions 10 con-
roversy, aud under all existing cir
cumstances, it appears TO me tbat,unsil
such a determination shall have be-
coma evident, it will be proper and
snfficien. to retaiiate her present refu-
sal to comply with her engagem snls,
|by prohibitiDg the introduction OF
French products and the entry OF
French vessels into our ports. Betw een
this and the Introduction Of all CONNER.
cial intercourse or other remedies, you,
as The representatives Of the People,
must deter mine. recommend the
former, in the present posture Of our
affairs, as being the least Injurious to
our commerce, and as attended with
the least difficulty Of returning to the
usual state of friendly intercourse, il
the Government Of Francs shall rem.
der US the Justice that is due, and also,
as proper preliminary step to stron
ger msasures, should their adoption be
deemed necessary by subsequent e.
vents.
| The return Of our Charge d'Affaires
is attended with pubic notices of naval
preparations on the part of France
destined for our seas. OF the cause
and intent Of these armaments l have
i no authentic .information,aor any other
means Of judging except such as are
common TO yourselves and to the pub
! Iic; but, whatever may be their object,
we are not at liberty TO regard them
as disconnected with tina measures
which hostile movements on the par,
Of France may compel Us TO pursue.
rney at least deserve 10 be me, by
adequate. preparation on our part and
therefore strongly urge large and
| speedy appropriations for the increase
of the navy aud the completion Of our
coast delences.
Ifthis array Of military force be
really designed to affect the action Of
the Government and People Of the u
nited States on the questions now
| pending between the Two nations, then,
indeed, would il be dishonorabls to
| pause a moment on the alternative
which such state Of things would pre-
sent to US. Come wha, may, the ex-
| PLANTATION which France demands can
never be accorded ; and no armament,