Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

670 ABRIDGMENT OF THE H. OF R.] Relations with France. [FEBRUARY, 1835. one. He saw nothing in the extracts which and if he would delay his motion till a reasonhad just been read from Mr. Livingston's corre- able time was given to hear further from France, spondence, to call for any present departure he (Mr. M.) would go with him for instructions from the course which he understood had been to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, provided agreed on by a tacit but general consent, to for- they would not make a proper report without. bear action on this business of the treaty, till Mr. M. said that he was prepared to act deciwe had heard from the action of the French sively upon this subject before the adjournment Chambers on the subject. To the assurances, of Congress. The gentleman from Virginia which were reiterated in the extracts just read, (Mr. ARcHER) urges forbearance towards our ofthe continued, sincere, united, and even zealous ancient friend and ally. He believes the King disposition of the French cabinet to give effect of the French sincerely desires that the treaty to the treaty, what information, of a different of the 4th of July, 1831, should be carried into promise, was given in the last of these despatches effect; and that we ought not, therefore, to calculated to awaken a flame and arouse to a carry out the recommendation of the President, precipitate and peremptory action on our part? because it may lead to war; we ought not, he Why, the whole would be found to amount to thinks, to involve the country in war for the a diminished probability-a waning, though sum in controversy. Sir, how long is this fornot extinguished expectation, on the part of bearance to be urged upon us? There have Mr. Livingston, of the execution of the treaty. been four sessions of the French Chambers since Mr. Livingston found from the court journal, the exchange of ratifications of the treaty. At and conversations with the ministers, that the the first the subject was not noticed; at the execution was not to be made a cabinet meas- second, which lasted about four months, it was ure, but to be left to the discretion of the laid before the Chamber of Deputies, nineteen Chambers. From any question of good faith or days only before the adjournment; the bill was abatement of zeal on the side of the ministry to referred to a committee, and there the matter carry the measure? No! But from the diffi- ended; the next session continued about three culties of their ministerial position. They de- months, and about fifteen days before its adtail to him their purpose and plan to effect the journment the subject was again brought to the object, and he himself thinks it of great force consideration of the Chamber of Deputies, but to operate on prejudice and party spirit. not acted upon; and, finally, at the session in Mr. CLAYTON, of Georgia, said: Feeling it April, 1834, the question was fully discussed by my duty to vote against the gentleman's motion, the Deputies, and the bill contaning the necesand having, at the early part of the session, in- sary appropriation rejected. troduced a resolution embracing, in part, the Mr. LYTLE said: Mr. Speaker, since I have same object, it might seem to be required, to had the honor of a seat upon this floor, it has save from the reproach of inconsistency, to never been my good fortune to listen to speeches offer some justification for my present course. in this House, or elsewhere, or at any time, or The President's Message evidently presented upon any occasion, in which I felt the same two propositions: either to take no action upon sensations which have been produced upon me the subject, or to authorize reprisals, which I by the proposition and appeal made by the then and now consider as a war measure. To venerable member from Massachusetts this avoid war, and acting under a solemn conviction morning. Sir, there was in it, to my mind, that it was wholly unnecessary, and might be however it may affect the minds of others; averted by prudent measures, I believe that a I say there was in it to my mind, a degree timely evidence, afforded the French nation, of moral grandeur and sublimity which, as that Congress did not agree with the executive an American citizen, I was most proud and branch of Government, would restore the tem- happy to see and hear. The ex-representative per of the nation to that condition which existed of the Executive department of this Governprior to the Message; would remove from the ment now aiding to the extent of his abilities, deliberations of the French Legislature that as a Representative upon this floor, in the passion, feeling, and warmth, so unfavorable to councils of his country, and sustaining with the just and correct results, which that document candor and undisguised patriotism of an Ameriwas certainly calculated to inspire. This pur- can freeman, the spirit and proposition of his pose of mine has been fully accomplished by the successful rival, the incumbent of the executive other branch of Congress. The unanimous vote chair at this time; and upon what? Upon a of the Senate will effect, if any thing can do it, proposition that the people of this country the object I had in view; and sure I am, if it should vindicate their national pride and their does not, the progress of Congress in that direc- national honor. What was the character of the tion, may as well come to a pause, and then it proposition of the honorable gentleman from will be proper for us to consider the other Massachusetts? Does it amount to a declaraproposition of the President. Until, then, the tion of war, if adopted by this House? No, sir. effect of the Senate's measure shall be known, It merely proposes to call upon the Committee I am unwilling to move any further. on Foreign Affairs to make a report to vindicate Mr. MCKINLEY said he was pleased to see the this House from the imputation which, I insist gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. ADAMs) with him, will rest upon it, of pusillanimously evince so becoming a spirit on the occasion; cringing to thejuggling and caprices of a foreign

Pages

About this Item

Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 670
Publication: New York, [etc.]: D. Appleton and company [etc.]; 1857-61.
Subject terms: United States -- Politics and government

Technical Details

Collection: Making of America Books
Link to this Item: https://name.umdl.umich.edu/ahj4053.0012.001
Link to this scan: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/ahj4053.0012.001/672

Rights and Permissions

These pages may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Please go to http://www.umdl.umich.edu/ for more information.

IIIF

Manifest: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/api/manifest/moa:ahj4053.0012.001

Cite this Item

Full citation: "Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856." In the digital collection Making of America Books. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/ahj4053.0012.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 8, 2025.

Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

Annotations Tools

Actions

About this Item

Technical Details

Rights and Permissions

Related Links

IIIF

Cite this Item