South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-01-30

IuctuuCL VI Tue UtucE tlOuSSs Wt
were then, as fear we are now, on
the eve ola war with great and pow.
erful nation. My voice was then rails
ed for war, because / then believed
that justice, honor. aud necessity de-
manded il. tits now raised for peace,
because ! am under the most solemn
conviction that by going to war we
would sacrifice justice, honor, and in
ierest. The same motive which then
impelled to war now impels TO peace.
have not (said Mr.. CO. made this
assertion lightly. 1t is the result Of
mature and deliberate reflection. 1t is
not my intention to enter into a minute
examination Of that unhappy train Of
events, which has brought the eoantry
to its present situation, but l will
briefly touch ON few proninent
points, beginning with that most un-
fortunate negotiation which seems des.
tined to terminate 50 disastrously for
the country.
From the accession OF the present
King, his Ministry avowed itself fayor.
able to the settlement of our clains.
Ii could scarcely be otherwise. The
King had just been raised to the
throae, under a revolution originating
in popular Impulses, which could not
bat dispose him favorably towards us.
Lafayette, a, the time, possessed much
power and influence, aad had greatly
contributed TO elevate Louis Philippe
TO his present station. His feelings
were known 10 be decidedly favorable
TO US. But with all this favorable in
clina.ion, the Miaissry were fearful Of
concluding a treaty. They dreaded
tho Chsmbers they knew how edious
all treaties Of indemnity were TO the
entire Freneh nation, and how difficult.
it would be 10 bring the Chambers 30
agree to make al appropriation ID carry
a treaty Of indemnify into effect, even
with our country. With these impress
ions, they frankly stated to MIR. Rives,
our Minister, that the difficulty was
no. with them, but with the Chambers:
that If a treaty were made, i, could not
be carried into effect without vote of
appropriation from the Chambers !;
and it was very doubtful whether such
q vote could be obtained. These
declarations we're act made enee, or
twice +; they were repeated again and
again, throughout every stage of the
negotiation, and never more e@phati-
cally than in the very last, just before
the conclusioa OF the treaty.
The President of the Council, M.
Perrier, 10 a conversation with Mr.
Rives, at that late period, stated tina.
there would be no officially in arrang-
ing the question, were it not that he
feared opposition on the part Of the
Chambers, which might place the re-
Ia,ion betw een The two countries in a
more dangerous stately refusing to
make the appropriations. now pro-
phetic | as if he had foreseen what has
since come to pass. ] do not profess
10 give his words !; did not anticipate
the discussion, and have not come pre-
pared with documents but what |
state is substantially what he said.
With this apprehension, he asked our
Minister to wait the short period Of
two months, for the meeting Of the
Chambers, that they might be CONSUL
ted before the conclusion Of the treaty,
in order to avoid the possibility Of the
embarrassment, which has since occur
red, and which has so dangerously
embroiled the relations of the two
MIR. Rives objected, and
the treaty was concluded.
Now, l submit (said Mr.. c. to ev-
cry man ofinsegri.y & honor, whether
we, in accepting the treaty after these
declarations, did not accept
it, subject 10 the condition which they
implied +; that is, whether, in point Of
fact, the stipulation Of the French Ex-
ecutive ought not 10 be fatty constru-
ed with these declarations made at the
formation of.he treaty, to amount sim
ply to an engagement to use his best
endeavors to obtain the assent Of the
Chambers to the appropriation. Such
would certainly be the understanding,
in similar case, between honorable
and conscientious individuals /; & such,
l apprehend, will be the opinion here
after. when passions shall have subsia-
ed, of every impar,iaiinquirer af,ertruth
The question (said Mr.. CO. is nos
presented, has the French Executiv'
complied with his promise Has h
honorably, faithfully, and earnestl.
endeavoIed to obtain the assent Of tn
Chambers Z To these questions
shall not reply. leave the answer t
our Executive and to our Ministers