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

/ The Executive IN regard 10 II. Necur'
ring to the historical statement made
at the commencement Of your session,
ofthe origin and progress Of our diff
culties with France, it will be recollec-
ted that, on the return Of our Minister
to the United States, / caused my Of
fetal approval Of the explanations he
had given to the French Minister oil
Foreign Affairs to be made public. As
the French Government had noticed
the message without lis being officially
communicated, it was not doubted that,
il they were disposed to pay the mon I
ey due to US, they would notice any
public explanation Of the Government
ofthe United States in the same way.
But, contrary to these well founded
expectations, The French Ministry did
not take this fair opportunity to relieve
themselves from their unfortunate po-
sition, and to do justice to the Tn tied
States.
Whilst, however, the Government
of the United States was awaiting the
movements ofthe French Government,
in perfect confidence that the difficulty
was at an end, the Secretary Of State
received call from the French Charge
.d'Affaires in Washington, who desired
to read to him letter he had received
from the French Minister of Foreign
Affairs. He was asked whether he
was instructed or directed to make any
official communication, and replied,
that he was only authorized to read
the letter, and furnish copy ifrequss-
ted. The substance of its contents, ii
is presumed, may be gathered from
Nos. a and 6, herewith transmitted. Ii
was an attempt to make known 10 the
Government OF the United States,
privately, in what manner it could
make explanations, apparently voiun-
tary, but really dictated by France,
acceptable TO her, and thus obtain pay
meni OF the twenty five millions Of
francs. No exception was taken 10
this mode Of communication, which is
often used to prepare the way for off,
cial intercourse /; but the suggestions
made in it we're in their substance
wholly inadmissible. Not being in
the shape of an official communication
10 this Government, it did not ADM,
Of reply or official notice, nor could !,
safely be made the basis Of any action
by the Executive or the Legislature I:
and the Secretary of State did moi
think proper TO ask copy, bscsuse he
could have no use for il.
Copies Of papers marked Nos. g,
10, and IL, show an atlsmpt on tbs
part of the French Charge pAfaires
10 place copy OF this letter among
the archives Of this Government,
which, for obvious reasons, was not al.
lowed to be done; bu. the assurance
before given was repeated, that any
official communication which he might
be authorized TO make, in the accus-
toned form, would receive prompt
and just consideration. The indls-
erection ofthis attempt was made more
manifest by the subsequent avowal of
the French Charge d'Affaires, that the
object was to bring this letter before
Congress and the American People,
II foreign agents, ON subject Of dis.
agreement between their Govern mem
and this, wish 10 prefer an appeal to
the American People, shey will here.
after, it is hoped, better appreciate
their own rights and the respect due &c
others, than 10 attempt to use this Es.
ecutive as the passive organ Of lhei,
communications.
Ii is due to the character Of our in
stitutions, that the diplomatic inter.
course of this Government should bs
conducted with the utmost directnes
and simplicity and that, in all case.
of importance, the Communications re.
ceived or made BY the Executive
should assume the accustomed officia
form. Ii is only by insisting on this
form, that foreign Powers can be hslo
TO full responsibility,that their commu-
nications can be officially replied to
or that the advice or interference oil
the Legislature can with propriety be
invited by the President. This course
is also best calculeted,o on the one hand
to shield that officer from unjust sus
picions, and; on the other, to subject
this portion OF his acts to public scru-
tiny, aud, if occasion shall require it,
to constitutional animadversion. 1t was
the more necessary to adhere to these
principles in the instance in question, in
asmuch as, in addition to other impor-
tant interests, il very intimately concern
ed the national honor--a matter, in my
Judgment, much too sacred to be made