The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-22
THlRTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WEpEEspAy, January 81, 1852
SENATE.

SENATE.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate message
from the President of the United states conimuhl.
eating to Congress "A report from the secretary oil
State containing copies OF correspondence between
the Department of State and the Hon. w g. Rlves,
the minister of the United States IN Paris relating
20 the recent changes in the political government
From the voumnous correspondence our re-
porter has selected copies of the following
Mr.. Rires to Mr.. IFebsta.
LgoATioH OF THE UNITED STATES,
PARIs, December Is, 1851.
Sir The troubles which have broken out IN the
departments since the Presidential coup d'sfdt OF
the "a instant have, It is understood, been almost
entirely suppressed Not lees than twenty tive de-
partments have been successfully declared IN
state Of segs and put under martial law since that
event and the whole number OF departments now
in that condition Ia about thirty out oil the eighty
six into which the territory OF the republic Is d.
ydcd.
The public tranquility in this city has not been
disturbed in the slightest degree since my last dc,
spatch. The government has, nevertheless, as
measure Of precaution, dissolved and disarined two
OF the legons OF the National Guards mere; ana
this morning a circular of the Minister OF the In
terror the preiects Of the departments Ia publish
ed, by which the projects are authorized, at their
discretion, TO suspend OF dissolve the National
Guards IN their respective Jurisdictions, to dlsarm
cltIzcns IN whose hands the possession OF arms may
not be considered guarantee for the preserva-
ton Of order and also TO fill vacancies among the
officers by appointments 10 be made by the project
instead oil CleCl!Ous by tne INatiuNui itSHl
selves rs heretofore practiced. Instructions OF the
minister to the project of the ponce OF Pans
also published by which that office ID enJoined
TO take prompt and vigorous measures Tor The exc
cuton o.! the decree, mentioned IN my last de-
spatch respecting persons placed under the sur
velllance of the haute police which applies equally
TO all persons convicted of belonging TO, or being
connected with, any secret society. BOTH oil these
classes of persons are required to be immediately
expelled not only from Paris but II need be, from
France; and II is announced, IN oonnexion with
these orders, that the government Will have ready,
IN fifteen or twenty days, i've Vessels ol war capa
bic of transporting, TO the pententiary colony OF
Cayenne, more than two thousand persons
These measures sufficiently mark the unrelent-
ing spirit IN which the government pursucs ITS
system OF repression. Since the second day OF De
cember Presidential decrces have taken the place
of laws and the legislature as well as The admin
istralion of the country has been by the sole au-
thofity Of the President. To palhatc, III some de-
gree, this appearance of autocratic government,
what is called commission co,sltatiuc, consisting,
az II Is detnitively constituted oil one hundred and
seventy eight persons, named by the President,
has been organized under the VICE presidency Of
Monsieur Bsroche the former Minister OF Foreign
Affairs. This commission, as Its functions are de-
fined by the decree establishing II, IS TO give lis
opinion such projects of DEGREES in matters OF le-
glsation may be submitted 10 II by the Presl
dent, and IL also TO perform, III general, the iunc
tons OF the Council Of State, as that body was or
ganized previous TO the revolution OF ISIS. il Is
specially charged 10 sum up and verify the votes
of the people at the polls to be opened on the Goth
and 2lst instant for the prolongaon and enlarge
ment OF the Presidents powers, on the returns
from the departments | send you herewith the
decree by which the consultative COMMISSION has
been dehnitvely constituted, and which contains
the Ist of all the names which now compose IT,
embracing one hundred and thirty five persons
who were members OF the late National Assembly,
come twenty generals, several persons who have
belonged 10 former cabinets OF the President, as
well as all the members of the present, and few
names belonging to the judicial ma gistracy.
former decree promulgated the composition Of the
commission, not go numerous, but yet comprising
the Nance OF sevcral distinguished persons who re
fused TO upon II, some OF whom notified their
refusal in terms of lofty independence or proud
disdain.
In my last despatch mentioned to you that, since
the late extraordinary events here had abstaincd
from appearing at the usual weekly receptions Of
the President while the rest Of the diplomatic cOrpz
with the exception, at that time. of the representa-
tive Of switzerland, had pursued different courss.
Since the date Of that despatch, the representative
Of Switzerland, under instructions from his gov
eminent, has followed the example Of the rest Of
the diplomatic corps, and am now the only Tor
clgn diplomatic agent Of any grade who has not
attended the Presidents receptions since the rcyo-
iuuonery coup ddat, by which the constitution
wac overthrown. Ia pursuing this course,
have taken counsel not merely OF the feelings
and sentiments natural to the bosom Of an Amen.
can citizen, under such circumstances, but also Of
these higher considerations Of principle and duty
which should control the conduct OF public agent.
Rcprcsrnuug, D. the United States do before the
world, the great cause ofircc, popular, and rcpub
HCan institutions, u seemed to me that u would Pc
IN come slessurc 10 betray that causc II person
entrusted 70 act or TO speak ia their name should
go forward with any appearance Of indecent haste
10 salute dictatoral power which had risen hy
violence on the ruins Of a written republican con
sttution, however defective, here. On the Other
hand, the President having appealed 10 the nation
10 ratiiy his illegal acts, and pledged hnso the
event Of an unfavorable decision, 20 surrender at
once the position he holds by tenure but
that Of force, he can have no just causc Of com
plant # the representative Of a foreign power
thinks proper To await the decision OF tho only
rightful tribunal IN questions OF interior political
organization whose judgment has been formally
invoked.
Thcss are tho principles which, in the absence Of
instructions from my Government, have assumed
"a the proper guides Of my conduct in novel and
delicate situation, rendered the more responsible by
the opposite course taken by all the rest of the
diplomatic Corps ! trust they may meet the ap-
probation Of thOsc 60 whom alone am accountable
have the honor L, be-, with great respect, your
Ino-t obedicnt servant,
W. {. KlNES
hr. II,t'fu 10 Or. Rtry.
DgPAHTNy~T o STATE.