The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-09-14

and constantly makes for the full and entire freedom
OF commerce" This decree authorizes the seizure
OF neutral vessels bound 10 enemys' ports. BY oui
treaty OF amlty and commerce, the principle thai
free bottoms makes free goods had been adopted
between France and America. The decree OF the
9Th OF May was violation Of that treaty. Our min
lister complained Of this infracton, and decree was
passed on the 23d of May, declaring that vessels Of
the United States were not to be comprehended IN
the decree OF 9Th May. In communicating this de-
cree, the French minister tells Mr.. Morris, that IN
IL he will find "a new confirmation Of the principles
from which France will never depart, with regard
20 their good friends and allies the United States OF
America" Although amid the distraction OF the
times, the decree of the 23d May was occasionally
suspended and enforced, yet the temper OF the
French councils remained friendly until the ratihea
ton Of jays treaty. On the 10th of February,
1895, President Washington says: alt affords me
the highest pleasure to inform Congress that perfect
harmony reigns between the two republics"
The ratification Of that treaty, however, produced
an entire change in the tone Of French diplomacy
On the 18th Of February, 1886, the French minister
informed Mr.. Monroe that the directory had at
length determined how to act with respect to Mr.
jays treaty. "that il considered the alliance betiosen
easing 10 srSt from the moment the treaty was
ratified" They deferred any effective measures,
however, until the final action Of the House OF Rep
resentatiyes the subject. In May, 1876, the
House voted to carry the treaty into effect On the
7th July, 1876, the French minister informs Mr..
Monroe, "that the opinion Of the directory has
never yarisd.n He then makes use Of this Ian
guage: "After this, citizen minister, the executive
directory thinks itself founded in regarding the sdp
uatons Of the treaty Of l776 which concern the
raity Of the flag, altered and suspended in their
most essential parts, by this act" Upon this ayow-
ed suppositioH, that "the alliance had ceased to
exist and that the treaty Of l77S Twas altered, I"
the French government broke off diplomatic in
| nd naaaad of daeraaa ealcnla-
ted seriously TO affect our commerce. On the I'd
July, LIST Of August, and 9Th November, 1876,
and on LIST February and I'd March, 1877, DEGREES
were passed authorizing severe depredations our
commerce, in violation Of the treaties. By these
measures immense injury was inflicted upon u.s.
and II was then that the principal spolnuons com
menced We were in state of quasi war. The
government did not abandon its post-but ''desir-
ing to terminate all differences and to restore har-
mony and good understanding, and commercial and
friendly intercourse" the President nominated
Messrs. Pinckney, Marshall, and Gerry as ENJOYS,
for the purpose Of accomplishing those great OBJ
ects. This mission, as is well known, failed. The
ENJOYS were not received by France in their official
character, and even while they were yet at Paris, a
new aggressive measure was adopted by the French
government. In the spring Of 1898, those gentle
men withdrew from France. Negotiation was now
exhausted. Redress was to be rellnquished re-.
sort must be had TO coercIye measures. In this
crisis the government not derelct to its duties
Neither the state Of our finances the genius OF
our people would warrant an offensive war. Other
means Of redress were at command, and Of
these we ayalled ourselves with wise and prompt
policy. BY act Of Congress, 18th May, 1898, the
commanders Of our public armed vessels were d.
rected TO capture French armed vessels, which had
committed, or were lowering upon the coast for the
purpose Of committing, depredations vessels be-
longing to citizens Of the United States By act of
9Th Of July OF the same year, public armed vessels
were authorized to capture French armed vessels
within the jurisdictiona limits of the United States,
OF else where on the high seas. And the President
vas authorized TO issue commissions to private
armed vessels for the same purpose. In conse-
quence of these measures several hostile actions oc-
CURED between the armed vessels Of the two nations
and captures were made, both by our private and
public armed vessels, which were condemned and
sold as prizes.
But very important step was taken on the It'll
July, l79S, when Congress passed the following act
which, as shall have occasion TO refer TO it again
will here insert in full:
Whereas, the treaties concluded between the
United States and France have been repeatedly
violated on the part Of the French government and
the just claims Of the United States for reparation Of
The injuries so committed, have been refused, and
their attempts to negotiate amcabe ad justmen
Of all complaints between the two nations have been
repeled with indignty: and whereas, under au-
thority Of the French government there is yet pur
sued against the United States system of predato
ry violence, nfracting the said treaties and hostile
to the rights of free and independent nation:
"Be IL enacted by the Senate and House Of Represent
sipes Of the United STAIRS Of 4merica in Congress as
ssmbled That the United States are of right freed
and exonerated from the stipuations of the treaties
and of the consular convention heretofore concluded
between the United States and France; and that the
same shall not henceforh be regarded as legally OBJ
gatory on the government or citizens of the United
States"
By this the treaties mentioned were ef-
fectualy abolished
These measures were not without their desired
effect. France soon evinced willingness to reopen
negotiations, and on the 25th of February, 1899,
three commissioners were nominated to settle all
differences.
In the instructions to our commissioners, these
amongst others, were laid down as ultimate: First,
that provision be made for the satisfaction of the
claims of our citizens; and second, that the treaties
and consular convention declared to be no longer
obligatory by act of Congress- be not in whole or in
part revived; but that all the engagements to which
the United States to become parties be specified
in the treaty." When the negotiation was OPEN
ed, the French commissioners refused at first to con-
cur in the fact that the treaties were annuled bv
an act of Congress of 7th of July, I799 But thew
quickly yielded this point, so well determined bv
the principles of national law But they say "that
they cannot conceal from themselves that the act of
declared, has been an unequvocal provocation to
war; that the hostile acts by which this provocation
has been followed increasing in number and pubci-
ty, even after France had removed every just cause
of complaint, were nothing less than war
The rights of war acknowledge no obligation to re-
pair its ravages." They accordingly repudiate all
liability for indemnify. Subsequently, in confer
ence, they openly avowed shat their real object ,oas
to apoid by every means any engagement to pay inde-
mites" The president of the French commission
Joseph Bonaparte) declared that eff the question
was satisfied such a tribunal would saw that the
present state of things was war on the side of
America, and that no indemnities could be claim
ed"
Finding it thus impossible to procure a negota-
ton of those claims, our penipotentiaries for the
purpose of saving them for future discussion pro-
posed what is known as the second article in the
treaty. This article was, in substance, that the par
ties, not being able to agree respecting the treaties
of alliance and of commerce. and the consular con-
vention,. nor concerning the indemnities mutually