Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-01-28


cd IN orcmpy, the Instructions were given
n our Charge d'Afaircs which were ad-
verted fo nj the commencement oi the
present session Of Congress. The result
ns yon have seen, is n demand of an of
ficial written expression of regrets, and n
direc' explanation addressed to France,
with n distinct intimniion that this is SINE
grn non.
Mr.. Barton having, in pursuance of
his Instructions, returned To the United
States, and the charge d'AiIairs Of the
French having been recalled, all diplo-
matte intercourse between the two conn-
tries is suspe nd-d-a state Of things ORG
limiting in an unreasonable susceptibility
on the part of the French Governmen
and rendered necessary on our part by
their refusal to perform engagements con-
tained IN a treaty, from the faithful per-
iormance of which, by us, they are to
this day enjoying many important com
mcrcial advantages.
1t is time that this unequal position Of
affairs should cease, and that legislative
action should he brought TO sustain exec
utive exertion in such measures rs the
case requires. While France persists in
her refusal to comply with The terms of a
treaty, the object Of which was, by re-.
moving all causes ofmuiual complaint, 10
renew ancient feelings Of friendship, and
10 unite the two nations in the bonds Of
nmty and of a mutually beneficial com
merce, she cannot Justly complain if we
adopt such peaceful remedies as the Law
OF Nations and the circumstances Of the
case may authorize and demand. Ofthe
nature Of these remedies have hereto
fore had occasion to speak, and, in refer
ence to n particular contingency, to en-
press my conviction that reprisals would
be best adapted to the emergency then
contemplated.
Since that period, France, by all the
Departments other Government, has nc-
knowlcdged the validity Of our claims,
and the obligations of the treaty. and has
appropriated the moneys which are nee
essary TO its execution; and, though pay
inent is withheld on grounds vitality i'm
porfant to our existence as an indepen-
dent Nation, it would not be believed that
she can have determined, permanently,
bile. In the altered state Of the questions
in controversy, and under all existing cir
cnmstances, it appears to me that, until
such n determination shall have become
evident, it will be proper and sufficient
10 retaliate her present refusal TO comply
with her engagements, by prohibiting the
introduction Of French products and he
entry Of French vessels into our ports. :
Between this and the interdiction of all
CONNER rcial intercourse or other reme-
dies, YOU, as the representatives Of the
People, must determine. | recommend
the former, in the present posture of our
affairs, as being tho leas, injurious to our
commerce, and as a,te nded with the lens, !
difficulty of returning to the usual state
of friendly Intercourse, If the Govern
ment Of France shall render us the jis-
tice that ~ due, and also, rs proper
preliminary step to stronger measures,
should their adoption be deemed necessa-
ry by subsequent events.
The return Of our Charge d'Affaires is
attended with public notices Of naval pre-
parations on tho part OF France destined
for our seas. Or cause and intent Of
these ornaments have no authentic in
formation. nor any other means of judg
ing except such as are common to your
selves and 10 The public; but, whatever
may be their object, we are not at liberty
to regard them as unconnected with the
measures which hostile movements on
the part of France may compel us 10 pur-
sue. They at least deserve to he me,
by adequate preparation on our part, and
/ therefore strongly urge large and
speedy appropriations for the increase Of
the navy and the completion Of our coast
defences.
IL this array Of military force be really
designed to affect the action Of the Gov
ernment and People of the United States
on the questions now pending between
the two nations, then, indeed would it be
dishonorable tn Pause n moment on the
alternative which such state Of things
would present 10 us. Come what may,
the explanation which France demands
can never be accorded; and no arma-
ment, however powerful snd imposing, Mt
n distance or on our coast, will, / trust,
deter us from discharging the high duties
which we owe to our constituents, our ma,
tional character, and to the world Il
The House of Representatives, at the
close Of the last session OF congress, VI
unanimously resolved that the treaty of the
4th Of July, 1881, should be maintained
and its execution insisted on by the Uni
ted States. 1t is due to the welfare of
the human race, not less than to our own
interests and honor, that this resolution
should, at all hazards, be adhered to-
lf, after so signal an example as that Civ