State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-02

ments, ny prohibiting the Introduction OF
French products and the entry of French
vessels into our ports. Between this and
the Introduction of all commercial inter-
course, or other remedies, you, as the re-
representatives. of the people must determine.
| recommend the former, in the present
posture of our affairs, MS being the least
luxurious to our commerce, and as attended
with the least difficulty of returning to the
usual state of friendly intercourse, if the
Government of France shall render us the
Justice that is due, and also as prelimina-
ry step to stronger measures, should their
adoption be rendered necessary by suisse
quent events.
The return of our Charge d'Affairs is at
tended with public notices of naval prepa-
rations on the part of France, destined for
our seas. Ofthe cause and intents of these
ornaments, have no authentic iniorma-
ton, nor any means of Judging except such
as are common 70 yourselves and the pub
lie but whatever may be their object, we
are not at liberty to regard them as uncon-
nected with measures which hostile move
ments on the part of France may compel
us to pursue. They at least deserve to be
met by adequate preparations on our part,
and therefore urge large and speedy ap-
preparations for the increase of the navy,
and the completion of our coast defences.
If this array of military force be really
designed to affect the action of the Govern
ment and people of the United States, on
the questions now pending between the
two nations, then indeed would it be dis
honorable to pause a moment on the alter
native which such state of affairs would
present to us. Come what may, the ex-
plantations which France demands can new
er be accorded and no armament, how
ever powerful at a distance, or on our coast,
will, | trust, deter us from dischargng the
high duties which we owe to our consti-
tuents, to our national character, and to
the world.
The House of Representatives at the
close of the last session of Congress, unan-
of July, 1881, should be maintained and its
execution insisted on by the United States
1t is due TO the welfare of the human race,
not less than to our own interests and hon
or, that this resolution should, at all haz-
ards, be adhered to. If, after so signal an
example as that given by the American peo-
pie, during their long and protracted diff
culties with France, of forbearance under
accumulated wrongs, and of generous con-
fidcnce III her ultimate return toIustice, she
shall now be permitted to withhold from
us the tardy and imperfect indemnification,
which after years of remonstrance and dis
cussion had at length been solemnly agreed
on by the treaty of 1881, and set at nought
the obligation it imposes, the United States
will not be the only sufferers. The efforts
of humanity and religion, to substitute the
appeals of justice aud the arbitrament of
reason, for the coercivc measures usually
resorted to by injured nations, will receive
little encouragement from such an is sue.-
By the selection and enforcement of such
lawful and expedient measures as may be
necessary to prevent result so injurious to
ourselves, and so fatal to the hopes of
the philanthropist, we shall therefore
not only preserve the pecuniary inter
ests of our citizens, the independence of
our government, and the honor ofour coun-
try, but do much, it may he hoped, to vim
dicate the faith of treaties, and to promote
the general interests of peace, civilization,
and improvement.
ANDREW JACKSON.
WAsnINGToN, January 10, 1881.