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

period as our Constitution tCoHtd permit
That intention was real our desire was
sincere; but it natural y followed from the
very nature and terms of the engagement,
that it referred to no particular and fixed
period; that was left dependent either up
ON the different exigencies Of our internal
situation, or upon The object which both
Governments were equally anxious TO OBJ
tain.
In the month of August the Chambers
we're assembled, but merely for form, and
for the sole purpose ui complying with the
lurty-second article of the Ch'rlCr. No
project of law was either presented or dis
cusScd.
Mr. Livingston at Paris, & the President
Of the u. s. at Washington, having SEEM
ed 10 regret that the opportunity Of this ac-
cidentaI meeting had not been embraced to
place again before the Chambers the project
ollaw relative to the Treaty Of the 4th Of
July, it was easy to make them understand
that in acting with that prccipitancy, we
would moi only have departed from all es-
tablishcd usagcs, but compromised, instead
OF securing the passage OF TIE law.
The salne considerations were very nat
uraIIY opposed 10 the request made at a
subsequent period by MIR Livingston, for a
special session in the fall. That Minister
mus; no doubt have urged them with his
government, since the latter showed itself
entirely convinced Of their validity and Just
ness.
The new Secretary ofState, Mr. Forsyth,
said in the month Of Oct. TO Mr. Serruricr.
The President realty understands lch5 this
business has not been taken mp at the opGn-
ing Of the session an .AUgUSt he can noe
account for the fact that the demand made
6y mr. Livingston of special session an the
taH lcGS declined. Mr. Forsyth, il is true,
ADDED That the President could not under
stand why the convccaton of the Chambers
had been delayed until the last days Of De-
cember, instead Of the beginning OF that
month. But that observation falls before
the fact, that, by concurrence Of paricu-
lar circumstances on which ii would be use
less TO dwell, this meeting of the Chambers
dld IN reality take place on the LIST of Dec.
Nothing consequently could prepare the
French Government for the language Of the
Message sent by the President to Congress-
We were aware that that Message would
contain a statement of the transactions con-
nected with the treaty Of the 4lh of July.
A'il OlSN III IluN vi INC lJlll OF lNONGUlDCl
given notice Of it to MIR Serrurer. But
Mr. Forsyth had at the same time informed
that Minister, that the President would
simply advise Congress 10 wait for the de-
clsion OF the Chambers.
What must then have been our astonish-
mcnt when the Message reached this side
oil the Atlantic! Aud could il be expected
that the French Government, after having
fulfilled the double duty Of satisfying It's
own dignity by recalling its Minister from
Washington, and of rcdeeming the faith Of
treaties by Obtaining from the Chambers
The appropriation necessary 10 the compile
ton Of the Convention Oi the 4th Of July,
alter having rendered the Minister Of the
U. ). his pssporls-c it be expeceG
repeat, that the French Government would
not wait, (cXpecO before it resumed any
communication on the subject with the 90
vernment Of tie nion-and before il re-
neweG with it the interrupted relations,
that the latter would come forward and en-
press itself in terms calculated to dispel the
unfortunate interpretations TO which the
Message had given rise.
Such is in fact and in substance the course
which the amendment introduced by the
Chamber Of Deputies has pointed out to
the Government; such is tie course which
the Government intended ia have pursued,
even if the law had not made il tEcir duty.
Nevertheless il is against This course, so
simple, so reasonable, that Mr. Livingston
seems 10 wish TO protest beforehand.
Mr. Livingston fully admits in lis no.c of
the 9th OF April, the right OF foreign gov
crnments, TO take proper exception 10 the
acts and language Of the Government which
he represents.
"Shoud the President" he observes, 'do
an official executive acl affecting foreign
power, or use eXceptionabe language in
addressing it, through his Minister or thro'
theirs-should law be passed injurious 10
the dignity OF another nation, in all these,
and other similar cases, a demand for cX-
PLANTATION would be respectfully received,
and answered in the manner that Justice
and regard to the dignity of the complain
ing nation, would require"
But he maintains that these principles.
the wisdom OF which is evident, are not APP
plicable TO an acl. by which the President,
sole representative q tht"nation towards
foreign powers, gives 10 Congress an ac-
count OF the situation { + foreign relations.
I" Ihe utmost ireedom," says Mr.. Liv-
ingson, "lhe utmost freedom from all re-
slraint in the details into which he is obliged
10 enter, Of International concerns, and of
The measures i'll relation 10 them, is essen
tiaI TO the proper performance OF this all
important part OF his functions. He must
exercise them without having continually
before him the fear OF offending the suscep-
tibiIity OF the powers Whose conduct he is
Obliged to notice"
Were any foreign powers" continued
Mr. Livingston, permitted 10 scan the
communications ofthe eXcculive, their com
plants, whether real or Affected, would in
volve the country in continual conlrover-
sizes; for the right being admitted it would