Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-13
J. J. CRITTENDEN.
TRANSLATION


FRENCH LEGATION IN THE UNITED STATES,
Washington, October q, 1851.
The undersigned Minister of France has received the
note dated the 2d of October which the Acting Secretary
Of State addressed him subsequently to the conversation
he had the honor of holding with him the 9Th of the
same month"; in the of which Mr. de Sarges had
in kind and friendly manner, informed Mr.. Crttenden
who appeared be ignorant of the fact of the character
Of the instructions issued by the Government Of the Re-
public the commanding officer of the French station
Havana soon as it was known in Paris that the first
detachment of adventurers commanded by Lopez which
announced itself the advance guard of larger exped
ton, had succeeded in getting off to sea-
Notwithstanding the spirit of kindness in which that
communication made Mr. Crittenden reserved him
self to point out in writing upon reflection he should
deem it expedent the considerations which it might give
rise to- both in the mind of the President and his
Mr. de Sayiges thanks'him for having done for while
he Sees the addressed him. renewed
of the strongest sympathy the part Of the American
Government and of the American people, for France and
her Government he also finds occasion to recall certain
points of his conversation which would appear not
at first presented by him with sufficient cearness. Mr.
de Sartiges had endeavored to establish, in distinct
manner the two following points first that the instruc
tons issued by the Government OF the Republic were
spontaneous and isolated secondly that those nstuc-
tons exclusive for exclusive case and applicable
only to the class and not to the nationality OF any pirate
adventurer that should attempt to land in arms on the
shores Of friendly Power He had added that the ex-
listing laws regard the right of searchaws about
which the suscepbties of the French Government are
forcbly those Of the Government of the Uni
repc violence by force since the instructions
which have issued to the commanding officer of the
French station only intended to apply to case Of
piracy the article of the maritime code in force concern
ing pirates In again asserting these two points cate
goricay he does the undersigned thinks that he
has removed all Of prejudice the part of the
President both regards the Importance Of an act agreed
upon in advance the part of France and England and
the likelihood that the laws which govern the right Of
search viii be in the least affected He will add that the
attitude assumed by President Fillmore and by his Cab-
net under these lamentabe circumstances, has been so
upright that the French Government far from intend
ing imply doubts which did not exist by the measures
it spontaneously adopted had the contrary, reason
to believe that would find in those ATTITUDES the
American squadron acting in the spirit and pur-
suing similar object This consideration must prevent
any false construction tending to give to this act OF the
Republican Government the appearance of amonition
or of reproach tacty addressed to the Government OF
the United States and contemplated by the French
| Government
Mr. dc Sartiges begs thank Mr. Crttenden for hav
ing him the of the law Of 1873 actually in force
preventing the crime of armed invasion Of territory
belonging any friendly Power He is happy to fns
that the opinion of the Representatives Of the Amerca
nation honest opposition to this species Of aggres
ons and that Congress has furnished the President wit
sufficient arrest them These means, placed il
strong able hands, and Of which the President open
declares that he will make energetic use IT, unortu
nately the occasion for resortng to them should agar
occur become the much precious for the peace
the world america is closely connected with Europe
being only separated from the latter by distance scarce
y exceeding eight days journey, by of the most Inn