Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1836-01-30

and which will involve an acknowl
edgment of her assumed right to in
tertere in our domestic councils?-
She will never obtain it. The spirit Of
the American People, the dignity Of
the Legislature, and the firm resolve
OF their Executive Government, for
bid it.
As the answer Of the French Min
lister to our Charge d. Affaires at Par
is contains an allusion to a letter ad-
dressed by him to the Representa-
tive Of France at this place, it now
becomes proper to lay before you the
correspondence had between that
functionary and the Secretary Of State
relative to that letter, and to accom-
pany the same with such explanations
as will enable you to understand the
course Of the Executive in regard to
it. Recurring to the historical state
mcnt made at the commencement of
your session, Of the origin and pro-
gress Of our difficulties with France,
it will be recOIlected that. on the re-
turn Of our Minister to the United
States, ! caused my official approval
of the explanations he had given to
the French Minister of Foreign At
fairs to be made public. As the french
Government had noticed the mes
sage without its being officially COM
municated, it was not doubted that,
they were disposed to pay the money
due to us, they would notice any ex-
PLANTATION from the Government of the
United States in the same way. But
contrary to these well founded ex-
pectations, the French Ministry did
not take this fair opportunity to re-
lieve themselves from their unfortu-
nate position, and to do justice to the
United States.
Whilst, however, the Government
of the United States was awaiting
the movement of the French Govern
ment, in perfect confidence that the
difficulty was at an end, the Secreta-
ry of State received a call from the
Charge d Affairs in Washington, who
desired to read to him 4 letter he had
received from the French Minister of
Foreign Affairs. He was asked wheth-
Ter he was instructed or directed to
make any official communication,and
replied, that he was only authorized
to read the letter, and furnish copy
if requested. The substance Of its
contents, it is presumed, may be gath
cred from Nos. 4 and 6, herewith
transmitted. 1t was an attempt to
make known to the Government OF
the United States, privately, in what
manner it could make explanations,
'appare nt!y voluntary, but really die
tated by France, acceptable to her,
and thus obtain payment of the %
million OF francs. No exception was
taken to- this mode of communication
which is often used to prepare the
way to official intercourse; but the
suggestions made in it were wholly
inadmissiblc. Not being in the shape
of an official communication to this
Government, it did not admit o: reply
or official notice. nor could it safely
be made the basis of any action by
the Executive or the LcCis.ature;-
and the Secretary of State did moi
think proper to ask copy, because
he could have no use for it.
Copies of papers marked Nos. 9
10. and IL. show an attempt. on the
part of the French Charge j Affairs. tc
place copy of this letter among the
archives of this Government. which
Tor obvious reasons. was not allowed
to be done; but the assurance befor,
given was repeated. that any otficia
communication which he mi ht be
authorized to make. in the accustom
ed form. would receive Il prompt anC
Just consideration. The indiscretion
of this attempt was made more man
fest by the subsequent avowal OF
the French Charge d Affairs, that the
object :. as to bring this letter before
Congress and the American People
If foreign agents. on subject of dis
agreement between their Govern
ment and this. wish to prefer an ap
peal to the American People. they
will hereafter. it is hoped. hrt,er ap
prcciate their own rick I'D the res.
pcct due to others. tnan - attempt tc
use the Executive as the passive or
gan of their communications.
1t is due to the caarac .er Of our in
situations. that tie d!f.omatic inter
course of this Government should b.
conducted with the utmost discreet
ness and simplicity: and that. in al