The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-12

negotiation entered into for procuring pecuniary
compensation 70 individuals, involved no positive
obligation on their government to prosecute it to
extremities. A solemn treaty, ratified by the con-
stitutional organs of the two powers, changed the
private into public right. The government ac-
quires by il perfect right to insist on is stipua-
tons. All doubts as to their justice seem now to
have been removed, and every objection TO the pay
ment Of debt acknowledged to be just, will be
severely scrutinized by the impartial world"
In his message of January Is, 1886, President
Jackson again adyerts to the subject. He observes;
III VIII DC seen that France requires, as condition
precedent to the execution Of treaty uncondtion-
ally ratified, and to the payment of debt ackuow-
lodged by all the branches Of her government to be
due, that certain explanations shall be made, of
which she dictates the terms These terms are
such that government has already been officially
informed cannot be complied with; and, if persisted
in, they must be considered az a deliberate refusal
on the part of France to fulfil engagements binding
by the law Of nations and held sacred by the whole
civilized world" He submits to Congress to de-
termine upon the Interior measures to be pursued.
at is time" he says, "that Legislative action should
be brought to sustain executive exertion in such
measures the case requiresn- suggesting, an
immediate step, the prohibiting the introduction Of
French products and the entry Of French vessels in
to our ports" "as proper preliminary step to
stronger measures, should their adoption be render
ed necessary by subsequent events"
The subject was taken under consideration by the
Committee Foreign Relations in the Senate, which,
by its chairman, Mr.. Clay, made an elaborate re-
port on the case. The authority of this gentleman
will doubtless have its weight with certain portion
Of the people of this country; and it will be found
that, SO far as regards the original duty of the
government to press to a satisfactory result
the claims of its citizens for injuries sustained by
them by the aggressions of a foreign power, the
''perfect obligation" Of the treaty EATER its mutual
ratification" and the right to insist upon the fulfil
ment of its stipua,ions this report fully sustain the
views and opinions of the President. The language
in which Mr.. Clay conveys his sentiments on these
topics deserves to be remembered and weighed by
those who are SO much disposed to create an inn
preston that our own government can scarcely be
right, aforeign wrong, in the conduct Of their
relations.
On the first of the points alluded to- after charac-
terizing the measures Of France in which these
claims had their origin, as having "prostrated the
clearest principles of public law, and violated the
most solemn engagements consecrated by pledges of
public faith he says; whilst however, the govern
ment of the United States felt itself restrained by
prudential considerations, TO abstain from an APP
peal to arms at that period againt France" which
he had shown would have been perfectly unsuitable
under the circumstances, 1t resolved never to ac-
quiesce in the injustice which citizens Of the United
States had experienced at the hands Of France but
unremi.tingy to persevere in demanding the indem-
nifty to which they were justly entitled" sit was
due to ancient relations with France to the interest
of the two countries and to the nature Of the case
since the injuries were not resented when they were
fresh, that redress should be first sought by friendly
negotiation"
On the last topic he thus expresses himself: "The
President justly remarks, that the idea ofacquiescing
in the refusal of the execution Of the treaty will not
for moment be entertained by any branch Of the
American government. The United States can
never abandon the pursuit of claims founded on the
most aggravated wrongs. And if, contrary to all
just expectations France should persist in the nom
fu6lment Of the treaty, when negotiations shall be
completely exhausted, it will then become the bound
en- and painful duty Of the United States to consider
what measures are called for, on the occasion, by
their honor their interests and the justice due to
their injured citizens
The only material point on which the committee
differed in opinion with the President was upon the
question whether the period had arrived when the
United States were called upon to take into their
own hands the redress of the injuries of which they
complained. The committee consider that the good
faith manifested by the head of the French govern.
ment, the anxious desire which it avowed faithfully
to execute the treaty, the circumstances by which it
had been baied in its efforts, and the prospect that
all our objects were likely to be speedily accomplish
ed by the exercise of little forbearance justi
y them in coming to the conclusion that the United
States "shoud await the result of the renewed exer
tons of the French King and his cabinet to secure
the financial means to execute the treaty" Wheth-
er the time has not arrived for this government to
make final and peremptory demand Of Mexico to
fulfil her engagements, il now the question which
the Executive must decide.
A CARp.--A FRIEND of Mr. Robert Grcenhow, of
the State Department, is surprised to find that any
press should speak of him as a wing, or should at
tempt to mark him as victim. Those who cavil
at his retaining the Office which he holds not only
forget the service he has rendered to his country
BY his admirable book on "Oregon and California"
-, 49,, do MT know that Mr. q was the ,nlv