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

lOl l1G IcIlCIl government III ICIiCON COI-
fdence that the difficulty was at an end,
the Secretary of State received call from
the French Charge d'Affairs in Washing
ton, who desired to read to him letter he
had received from the French Minister of
Foreign Affairs. lie was asked whether
he was instructed or directed to make an
official communication, and replied that he
was only authorized to read the letter, and
furnish a copy ifrequested. The substance
of its contents, it is presumed, may be
gathered from Nos. and ) herewith trans
United. 1t was an attempt to make known
to the Government of the United States,
privately in what manner it could make
explanations, apparently voluntary, but
really dictated by France, acceptable TO
her, and thus obtain payment oftIe twenty
! five millions of francs. No exceptions was
taken to this mode of communication,
which is often used to prepare the way for
official communication, but the suggestions
made in it were wholly inadmissibe. Not
being in the shape of an official commune
cation to the Government it did not admit
of reply or official notice, nor could it safe
! ly be made the basis of any action by the
/ Executive or the Legislature and the
Secretary of State did not think proper to
! bSN Il COlJ, DCIduSc ut COlltl lluNC use
for it, Copies of papers markets. 9, 10 and
IL, show an attempt on the part of the
| French Charge d 'Afiaires many weeks af-
forwards to place a copy of this paper
among the archieves of this Government,
whic, for obvious reasons was not permit
ted to be done but the assurance before
given was repeated, that any official COM
inunication which he might be authorized
to. 81 ,,l IL
receive prompt and Just consideration.
The indiscreton of this attempt was made
more manifest by the subsequent avowal
of the French Charge d'Affares, that the
object was to bring this letter before Con-
gress and the American people, If foreign
agents, on a subject of disagreement be-
tween their Government and this wish to
prefer an appeal to the American people,
they will hereafter, it is hoped, better ap-
preciate their own rights, and the respect
due others, than to attempt to use the EX-
ecutive as the passive organ of their COM
munications. 1t is due to the character of
our institutions that the diplomatic inter-
cours Of this government should be con-
Quoted with the utmost drectnesS and sim
plicity, and that in all cases of importance
the communications received or made by
the Executive, should assume the accus-
toned official form. 1t is only by insisting
on this form, that foreign powers can be
held to full responsibility that their COM
muncations can be officially replied to :;
or that the advice or interference of the
Legislature can, with propriety, he invited
by the President This course is also best
calculated on the one hand, to shield that
officer from unjust suspicious, and on the
other, TO subject this portion of his acts to
public scrutiny; aud if occasion should
require 1t, to constitutional animadversion.
1t was the more necessary to adhere TO
these principles, in the instance in question,
inasmuch as, in addition to other important
interests, it very intimately concerned the
nat onal honor; matter, i'll my judgment,
much too sacred to be made the subject of
private and unofficial negotiation.
1t will be perceived that this letter ofth
French Minister of Foreign Affairs was
read to the Secretary of State on the / lth
of September last. This was the first au
th9ntic indication of the specific views of
the French Government, received by the |
Government of the United States after the |
passage of the bill of indemnificaton. In
asmuch as the letter had been written be-
fore the official notice of my approval of
Mr. Liyingston's last explanation and re- /
monstrance could have reached Paris. lust
ground of hope was left as has been before
stated that the French Government on re,
ceiving this information in the same man |
ner the allcdged offending message had
reached them, would desist from their eX-
traordinary demand, and pay the money at
once. To give them an opportunity to do .
so, and, at all events, to elicit their final de- !
and the ground they intended !
to occupy. the instructions were given to
our Charge d'Affairs, which were adyerted
to at the commencement of the present
session Of Congress. The result, as YOU
have seen, is the demand of o., official
written expression of regrets and a direct
explanation addressed to France, with a
distinct intination that this is a sine o,tn
non.
Mr.. Barton, having in pursuance of his |
returned to the United States.
and the Charge d'Aflairs of France baving
been recalled, all diplomatic intercourse
between the two countries is suspended-a
state of things originating in an unreasona- |
BILE susceptibility OIL the part OF the French
Government, and rendered necessary ON |
our part by their refusal TO perform en-
gagements contained in treaty, from the
faithful performance of which bv us thew |
are TO this day enjoying many important
commercial advantages.
1t is time that this unequal position of
affairs should cease, and that Legislative
action should be brought to sustain Execu-
tive exertion in such measures as the case !
requires. While France persists in her
refusal to comply with the terms of a treaty, !
the object of which was, by removing all
causes of mutual complaint to renew an
cient feelings offrendsbip, and to unite the
two nations in the bonds of amity, and of
a mutually beneficial commerce, she can |
not justly complain if we adopt such pence. |