Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-01-28

want q degrading. seTvile repeullon Q
this act IN terms which she shall dictate
and which will involve an acknowledge
ment OF her assumed right to interfere il
our domestic councils ? She will neveI
obtain il. The spirit Of the American peo
pie, the dignity OF the legislature. and ths
firm resolves or the executive government
forbid il.
As the answer Of the French Minister
TO u Charge 6'Affaires al Paris contains
an ~allusion TO a letter addressed by him to
the representative of France at this place,
il now becomes necessary TO lay before
you the correspondence hal between That
functionary and the Secretary Of State re
lative 10 that letter, and 10 enable you to
understand the course of tho Executive
in regard to it. Recurring TO the hlstor,-
cal statement made at the commencement
Of your session, Of the origin and progress
Of our claims on France, il will be rccol-
lected that. on the return Of our Minister
10 the Uuited States. | caused my 9th
cial approval Of the explanation he had
given TO the French Minister CT foreign
Affaires 10 be made public. AS the
French Government had noticed the mes.
rarC nltioht M Uttuh tAttNiHtt 800
nicated. it was not doubted that, IL they
were disposed 20 pay the money due US,
they would notice any public explanation
ofthe Government Of the United States in
the same way. But, contrary 10 thcse
well founded expectations, the French
Ministry did not take this fair opportuni.
~ 10 relieve themselves from theIr unior-
lunate position, and TO do justice TO the
United States.
Whilst, however, the Government oil
the United States was awaiting the move
ments Of The Elench Government, 10 per-
feet confidence that the difficulty WIS III
an end, the Secretary of State received a
call FROM The French Charge d'Ahfaires at
Washington, Who desired 10 read h,m a
letter Io had received from The French
Minister Of Foreign Affairs. He was as
ked whether he was instructed or directed
10 make any official communication, ani
replied that he was only authorized 10
read the letter, and furnish a copy II re
qnestcd. The substance of its contents,
il is presumed, may be gathered from
Nos. a aud 8, herewith transmitted, II
was an attempt made known 10 the Gov
eminent of the Uuiied States, privately
in what manned il could make explana
tons, apparently voluntary, but really dc.
taled by France. acceptable 10 her, and
thus obtain the payment OF the twenty
five millions Of francs. No exception WAS
taken TO this made Of communication,
which is often used TO prepare the way for
Official Intercourse; but the suggestions
made in il were ia their snbstaDee wholly
inadmissablc Not being IN thc shape 81
an official communication 10 his govern
net, il did not admit Of reply or oihcial
notice, nor could il safely be made the ha
SIS ofau, action by the Legislature OF the
Executive: and the Secretary OF stale
did not tiagk proper 10 ask q copy. be
cause he could have no use for x.
Copies Of papers marked Nos. D, 10,
and IL, show an attempt on the part oil
the French Charge d'A!faires, 10 place a
o u Of this letter among the archives OF
this government, which, for obvious fea
sons, was no, allowed 10 he done, hui The
assurance before given was repeated, that
any official communication WHICH he might
be authorized to make, IN The accustomed
f,tm, would receive a prompt ADD Just
consideration. The indIscrelion OF Tbs
attempt was made more manifest by the
subsequent ayowal Of the French Charge
dAf4ifes, that the object was TO bring
this letter before Congress and the Anne
fican people. ifloreign agents, on a sub
jeet Of disagreement between their Gov
eminent and this, wish 10 prefer an ap'
peal 70 the American People, they VIII
hereafter, il Is hoped. better appreciate
their IS rights and the respect due TO
Others, than TO attempt 10 use The Exccu
tive as the passive organ OF their conimu
Bications.
Its due to the character Of our institu
lions, that the diplomatic intercourse OF
this Government should DC eondncicd wiih
The Utmost difectncss and simplicity; and
that, in all eases OF importance. tho com
uIuuicauons received or made by the Ex.
~ecuiive should assume the accustomed
official form. II is only by insisting on
this form, that foreign powers can be held
10 full responsibility that their coinmuni-
cations can be officially replied to. or that
| the advice or interference OF the legisla
turc can with proprieiy be invited by NE
President. This course is also best cal
culatcd, on the one hand. TO- shield that
oiirer from unjust su 'picions, and, on the
otber. TO subject this portion OF bis acts TO
public scrutiny, and if occasion shall re
aaire il. TO constitutional animadvefsions- -
Ii was the more necessary to adhere 10
these principles in the instance IN question
inasmuch as, in addition TO othsr impor.
tan, interests, it very intimately coacerned
the national honor-a matter, 10 my Judg
meat, much too sacred TO be matte we sup
ject Of private and unofficial negotiation
Il wiir be perceived THAT this letter o.
The French Minister Of Foreign Atifrs
was read 10 the Secretary Of State on the
! nth Of Sept last. This wasthe fret au
| tbentic Indication OF the specific views o.
the Frencn Government received Dy thai
OF the u. States, after the passage Of The
bin of indemniication. iaasmuch as ths
letter had been written before the otiicia
notice Of my approval Of MIR. Lisngston'
last explanation and remostranee coult
4 81 ~ 81 $3.50 M----- ~ 49,.