Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1836-01-26

the course NJ the Executive ~ regard 10 II. Re-
curing TO the lssiouesl statement made at the
Commencement; Of youf session. Of the origin aud
progtcss OF dtliculics with France, il viii 10
recollec,cd that, on tho reilru " our minister
to the United States, caused my official approval
OF The explanations he had given to tue French
Minister Of Foreign AGaifes to be made public.
As the French ge,ernu,on, had noticed the mes
cage without its being officially communicated, 1t
not doubted that. IL they were Disposed to pay
the money due TO US they would notice any expla.
nation of the government Of the United States in
the same way. But contrary IL these well found
ed expectations; the French ministry did not take
this fair opportunity to relieve ihcmsslvc. from
their unfortunate position, aud TO DO justice TO the
United States.
Whilst, however, the government Of the United
States WAS awaiting the movement Of the French
Gov eminent in perfect confidence that the difcul
~ was at an end, the Secretary of State received
call from the French Charge dAffaires in Wash
ngton, who desired tc read 10 hi, n letter he had
received from the French minister Of Foreign Al
fairs.
He was asked whether he was Instructed or d.
rccted to make any official communication, aud re-
piled, that he was only authorized 10 read tho lot
ter, and furnish copy if required. The substance
of its contents, it is presumed may be gathered
from Nos. 4 and 6, herewith transmitted. It was
an attempt to make known to the government Of
the U. States, privately, in what manner II could
make explanations, apparently voluntary but really
dictated by France, acceptable to her, and thus OBJ
tain payment, Of the twenty five millions Of francs.
No exception was taken to this mode Of communl;
cation, which is often used to prepare the way for
official intercourse but the suggestions made in
it were in their substance wholly inadmissible.
Not being in the shape Of an official communca~
ton to this government it did not admit Of reply
or official notice, could it safely be made the
bosis of any action by the Executive Legisla-
ture aud the Secretary of State did not think
proper to ask copy, because he could have no use
for il.
Copies OF the papers marked o 10 & III, show
an attempt on the part of tho French Charge d AZ
fares, to place copy Of this letter among the ar
cheves of this Government, which, for obvious rca-
sons, was not allowed 10 be done but the ossur
ance before given was repeated that any official
communication which he might be authorized TO
make, in the accustomed form. would receive a
prompt and just consideration.
The indiscreton Of this attempt was made more
manifest by the subsequent avowal Of the Frcnch
Charge dAflares. that the object to bring this
before Congress and the American people. lrFor-
eign Agents, on a subject Of disagreement between
their government, and this, wish to prefer an up
peal to the American people, they will hereafter,
it IL hoped better appreciate their own rights and
the respect due to others, than 10 attempt to use
the Executive as the passive organ Of their
nicatons.
1t is due to the character of our institutions that
The diplomatic intercourse o. this Government
should be conducted with the utmost drectness L
simplicity, and that in all cases Of importance the
communications received or made By the Executive
should assume the accustomed 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 Gun with
propriety be invited by The President This course
Is also best calculated, on The one hand to shield
that oincer from unjust suspicious, L on the other
TO subject this portion of his acts to public scruti,
ny, and, if occasion shall require it, to consttu-
tional animadversion.
1t was tue more necessary to adhere to these
principles IN the instance in question: inasmuch az
IN addition TO other important interests it very init
mately concerned the national honor--a matter, in
my judgment. much TOO sacred to be made the
object of private and unofficial negotiation.
II will be perceived that this letter Of the French
Minister of Foreign Affairs was read to the Score
tary OF State on the l lth of Sept. last This was
the first authentic indication of the specific views
aher the possage Of the bill of indemniicaion
lnasmuch as the .cter had been written before
the official notice Of any approval Of Mr. Livingstone
last exempliiication and remembrance could have
reached Pans, Just ground OF hope was left as has
before been stated that the French Goyernmenr.
on receiving that information in the same manner
the alleged offensive message had reached them
would deslst from their extraordinary demand, and
pay the money Of once.
To give them an opportunity 10 do 50, and at
all events TO elict their final determination and Tho
ground they intended TO occupy, the instruction,
were given to our Charge d'Afares which wero
adrerled to at The commencement OF the present
session OF Congress.
The result as you have seon, is demand oc an
Official written expression Of regrets and a direct
explanation addressed to France, with dio,nc,
ih'lmatlnn that this lie zine qua ron.
MIR Barton having, n pursuance of his instinct
IONS. returned to the United States and the Cb,rre
dAuslros Of the French having been recalled. Al!
diplomatic intercourse between the two couulrcs /,
sospended-a state Of things origonating in an "a.
Reasonable tat, ito ~