Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-25


been Tor the moment suspended ard in danger of
being more seriously interrupted.
In TINS state OF things the British Government led
70 tink that the good Offices of a third Power equally
the friend OF France and OF the United States and
prompted by considerations of the highest order most
earnestly to wish Tor the continuance of peace might
De usefu IN restoring good understanding the
Two parties on footing consistent with the incest feel
nys OF national honor la both
rae Undersigned has therefore, been instructed by
his Majesty Government formally To tender To the Co
vernn"nt OF the United States the mediation of Great
britain Tor The settlement o the differences between the
oh ed States and France and sa that a note. precise
Si"ar 10 the present, has been delivered the French
government by Ills Majesiys ambassador Paris The
Undersigned has, at the time, express the conf
uent hope of Ills Maesys Government that it the two
parues would agree 10 refer tn the British Government
.ne settlement of the point ut issue between them aud
10 ABIDE by The opinion which that Government might
AFTER due consideration communicate to th. two uar.s
thecupoD, means might be found satisfy the honor of
each without incurng thnse great aud manifold evils
which rupture between two snci, pn,,,r, 49,, -.
tally entail upon both
Inc undersigned has the honor to renew TO Mr. For.
sym the assurance OF his distinguished consiers
uon' CHARLES BANKHEAD.
DEpAwrMksr or STATE
u UashingtOa Feb 3, 1896
The Undersigned Secretary OF State of the United
States, has had the honor receive the note of The y7t
utn'o, OF MIR. Charles Baokhead, His Britannia Males
sCnarge Ahaires Offering TO the Government of the
United States the mediation of His Britannia Maesty's
Govenment for the settlement of the differences 1nha.
ply existing between the United States and France =
nat communication having been submitted to the Pre-
ueni ana considered with all the belonging 10 the
Importance OF the subject and the source from Which, IL
eianaed the undersigned has been instructed TO assur.
Mr. Bankhead, that and honorable mo-
yves winch have dictated the proposal, fully appe-
c,ated The pacific policy Of flis Britannia Niaesry's
Cabinet, and their efforts TO heal discussions arising
among nations, are worthy of the character and com.
handing influence OF Great Britain and the success
OF those efforts is honorable TO the Government
by whose instrumentatyt secured as it has been
beneficial TO the parties nme diately interested
and To the world ut large
The sentiments upon which this policy is founded .
and which are SO forcby displayed the offer that has
Deeh mace, are deeply Impressed upon the mind OF the
President They congenial with the nd
principles, well with the interests and babs or
the PEOPLE oh United States, and il has been the con-
stant ann oil their government in its conduct towards
other Powers, to observe and illustrate them Cordially
approving the general views of His Britannia Maies,v
Govcrnment the President regards with peculiar sa,siac-
ton The enlightened and dlsinteresed socitude mani
tested by IT. for the welfare of the nations TO whom its
good Offices are now rendered and has with great
sensibiy in the exhibition of that feeling the recogn
ton of that community of interests and those ties of
kindred by which the United States and Great Britain
are united.
circumstances did not render il certain i, wo,,d
have been obvious, from the language of Mr.
note to the undersigned, that the Government of His
Britannia Majesty, when the instructions under which il
was were gwen could not have been apprsed
OF all the steps taken in the controversy between the s.
and France was necessarily ignorant of the tenor be
two recent messages OF the President to Congresshe
first, communicated at the of the oresen,
session, under date OF the 9Th OF Decembsr 1885 and h
second under that of the 18th of January ld:6 onI
these documents have been within the knowledge ofHs
Britannia MaJestys Government, the President does moi
doubt hati would have been fully satisfied Thai The
disposition of the u. States, notwithstanding their we'll
grounded and serious complaint apain. France
to restore friendly relations and cultivate good under
standing with the Government that countrv WAS und
and that all had already been DONE ON their
part that could in be expected of Them IN secur
that result The first of these documents although !,
gave such history of the origin and progress Of the
claims OF the United States and of the proceedings of
Eran0 hafnr md. - t,..f OH
cate the statements and recommendations of the mes
sage OF the LIST Dec 1884 yet expressly disclamed The
Offensive interpretation put upon II by the Government
OF france; and while 1t insisted the acknowledged
rights of the United States and the obligations of The
treaty, and maintained the honor and independence of
the American Government, evnced an anxious desire to
DO all That constitutional duty and Justice would
permit, TO remove every of irritation and excite
ment The special message of the 10Th January last
oeng called Tor by the extraordinary and nadnissble
demands OF the Government of France defined in The
last official communications at Paris and by the con.
tinued refusal Of France execute treaty from the
faithful performance of which by the United States il
was TRANQUILITY enjoying important Advantages it be-
came the duty OF the President to such mea
sures rs might be adapted the exgences of the occ
SION. Unwilling To believe that nation DISTINGUISHED
Tor honor and intelligence could have determined Der
nancnty to maintain ground so ndeensible and nx-
ious sun TO leave open the door of rec0nciliaon the
PRESIDENT contented himself with proposing Congress
the mlldest of the remedies given by the law and 1rac
ice OF nations, in xon with such propositions for
defence as were evidently required by condition of
In all these proceedings, well as in every stage of
these difficulties with France, it is confidently believed
that the course OF the United States when duly consi.
lered by other Governments and the world will be
found to have been marked, only by a pacific dis
position but by spirit OF iorbearance and Cancellation
Fol further illustration of this point as we'll AS for
the purpose OF presenting lucid view of the whole
SUBJECT the undersigned has the honor transmit TO Mr.
Bankhead copies Of all that part the message of Dec
1850, which relates TO II, and of the correspondoce
referred To thefcln and also copies of the essaqe and
documents of the 18th January 1886 and
d ahOter message Ol the 18th OF the month"; trans
uniting report of the Secretary of State and certain
Doc uinens connected with the subject
These papers, while they bring down the history Of
The Misunderstanding between the United Suites and
France To the present date will also remove an errone
Gus Impression which appears be entertained by His
britannia MaJestys Government. IL is suggested IN
f Dankhead mole That there is question of nation
NJ interest at issue between France the United STATES
md that there demand of Justice made by the on,
'arty ana denied by the other This suggestion apcars
% he founded on the facts that the claims of tie United
states have been aduittcd by treaty concluded be-
ween the two Governments, and that the money due
France has been provided by the Chambers and pac
I'd at the disposal Of the French Government for the
purpose OF being paid 10 the u States but it Is To be OBJ
served That the payment OF the money thus uponriated
IS refused by the French Government unless the United
states VIII first comply with condition not contained |
n the treaty, and not assened TO by them This refusal
o make payment II, IN The view Of the United States
enIa OF justice, and hasnot only been ACCOMPANIED by
cts and language OF which they have great reason Ia
complain, but the delay OF payment is highly injurious
% those American citizens who entitled To share IN
he indemniicalon provided by the treaty. and to the
interests OF the United States nasnuc as the reduction
)f the duties levied on French vines i'm oursuance nj
hat treaty, has diminished the public revenue and has
Ieen and yet 49, enjoyed by France with all The other
'enehs OF the treaty, without the consideration aud