The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-04


In this statement yoa have the clue all subsequent
proceedings Of our Subsequent the treaty
Of lss5-ihe treaty of pescethe Of the British
government bad been one Of hostility TO tAe independent
States Of this confedsracy England still retained the
northwestern posts stimulated Indians upon eur
tier active warfare defeated the treaty with Por,
gal encouraged The oosairs of Barhsry Powers
pressed hard for naturalization debts her rits
lens This then feeble Of the United States
with sparse population and impoverished territory
alarmed and al the tone and conduct OF kng
land IL described, embarrassed between treaty Oh
legations 70 France and apprehension Of the Of Eng
land. Let point To one fact
immediately the receipt in this country OF the Intel
sence that had broken out between France and Eng
land before any act Of aggression pretended have
been committed by Franc cabinet council called
the gentleman from Missouri has stated determine what
ought be the OF the country in the existing
aition Of affairs AT the FIRST meeting Of the cabinet
Gil Alexander HAMILTON advocated the doctrine that this
liberty disreRArd her obligations
TO Marshall Il my authority for this Need comment
such doctrine II TO prevail, what would be
the value OF treaty obligations They would be worth
the paper upon which they written government
is at liberty disregard its treaty obligations whenever ii
finds hsm 10 be disadvanageous TO It's interests then the
solemn obligations Of treaty in reality, mockery
Yet sneh the spirit manifested by Of the authori
ties of this when broke out between Eng
land and France shall stop Ia inquire whether that
say that the doctrine advanced by Hamilton ndahi
table evidence Of determination violate the obligations
OF our treaty with France and the slightest pretert
waited for 10 carry the doctrine into execution.
In regard to the between France and England the
gentleman from Missouri Mr. BESros in his speech has
proclaimed the opinion that the United States
bound respect its treaty obligations with Franc be-
il was offensive with England the part Of
France. Sir The gentleman knows tina; offensive opera
fions had actually been before commenced by England
that French ships had been detained in English ports that
England openly encouraging the enemies of France
that last the French minister had been actually dis
missed from London. And until after all these
things had occurred that France formally declared
But said certain American politicians France having
taken the initiative far form concerned in de-
obligations 10 respect treaty spuauons with France,
Ii 10 offensive upon he part OF France and our
treaty Obligations only applied TO defensive war WAS
upon such miserable subieruges that these politicians
sought 70 avoid the discharge OF the honest obligations
and duties OF government The treaty said nothing
about offensive or defensive
II Well sir the between France and England
England laid down certain doctrines respecting the rights
Of the flag which our government fresh desires to
il expressly stipulated that the flag should the
cargo under which stipulation if English goods were
found upon American vessel France or the French er
sers, not al liberty TO touch il.
But sir, the apprehensions Of government Of the
power and temper Of England daily increased They
anxious avoid collision with her, and mission
despatched 10 London with instructions 10 negotiate if
possible treaty with that Instructions 10
negotiate treaty direct opposition to the stPuations
OF offence France She said to that from the first
instead Of mansting spirit Of generosity towards her
ence had manifested spirit Of hostility from the be
ginning Of her troubles She said that had by
ton in giving encouragement TO her enemies manifested
spirit Of opposition 10 her interests.
Well sir, notwithstanding treaty obligations With
France spuating that that government should have the
sasvs privilege Of occupying our ports for the purpose
Of retting her shpsowa and for the sale and disposal
prizes Mr. Jay England under the instructions
have alluded TO- and in the face OF thst treaty make
proposals in behalf Of government TO eede England
the same privileges which had accorded exclusively
France. Now, sir what impartial umpire would decide
that this was acting good faith TO France after having
bound ourselves 10 allow her exclusive privilege, to
send mission 70 England with instructions TO offer her
| the same privilege
Well sir England seeing the advantage Of the propo
son of course eagerly accepted IL The treaty ra
fed and it that Jay treaty which first gave rise TO
division Of parties IN the United States large portion
Of the American people although they apprehensve
Of the power Of England yet strongly dsapproved the
goaiion and the ratification Of the Jay treaty. major
~ OF the American people understood il to be not only in
violation Of the friendly relations which had previously
existed between this government and France bat abb
solue violation of independence And who
read the treaties and doubt the factf
Mr. Chairman, these treaties both record-thst
negotiated with Francs and the subsequently, negotiated
\ with England-and Judge for ourselves whether
they did not come in conflict France naturally took
bragg at this conduct upon the of government
she had the right do. The treaty with England only
eeded England the right had given to France
in respect opening ports for the fitting ard reftng
OF ships Of war but Il gave to British cruisers the right 10
search ships and take any French property thai
may be found on board while II British properly was
found board vessels BY French cruisers IL must
4 der treaty with France, remain untouched
The whole proceedings in regard this English treaty
characterized By the spirit France having
eeived intsmatons that il negotiating demanded
explanation from Mr. Monroe the American minister al
Paris and be, in conformity with his Instructions replied
that II was only for conmerrd purposes Subsequently
when the terms of the treaty became known the French
government demanded OF Mr. Monroe explanation Of the
declaration be had made His embarrassment easily he
imagined and be describes it his Official Communications
home He complicated and recalled II ID thai
government entered defence by pointing the
ervation in the English treaty which proessed
the rights under prior treaties But practice deve
ope the fact that meaning attached by
the reservation Prior the negotiation Of
the British treaty the French vesses had been in the habit
Of using ports in Conformity With The sipaancns OF
the treaties with France bnt when Adel demonstrated
against the prohibition Of government against the
vessels Of France the American Secretary OF State an his
Communication to the President that SUBJECT admits te
fact that orders Of prohibition bad been issued and ust
fed ii the ground that 10 do Otherwise would be In
violation Of treaty with England and be adds that
the order rendered the necessary because for
erly nader Instructions the collectors the French had
the privileges Of France under her treaty spuator were
denied Der after the treaty negotiated with Eugand
and pregnant commentary upon the construction which
the Of the treaty rights
Of France in the English treaty.
France became irr,afed ct tese proceedings part
and undertook do the thing that allowed the
British do that r. seize British property whenever
they found II board American vessels And SO things
went The French cruisers seized American vessels ID
violation of the treaty obligations between and France
and in violation 81 the law 81 nations Our government
moustrated but they replied that whenever the British
agreed respect dag hey woul also respect Il France
denied her Obligations 70 indemnity for the cap
lures which thus illegally made She admitted thai
they made In violation q her treaty puations wh