The motives of my Government during the whole course of this controversy have been misunderstood or not properly appreciated, and the question is daily changing its character.  A negotiation entered into for procuring compensation to individuals involved no positive obligation on their Governments to prosecute it to extremities.  A solemn treaty, ratified by the constitutional organs of the two powers, changed the private into a public right.  The Government acquires by it a perfect right to insist on its stipulations.  All doubts as to their justice seem now to have been removed, and every objection to the payment of a debt acknowledged to be just will be severely scrutinized by the impartial world.  What character will be given to a refusal to pay such a debt on the allegation, whether well or ill founded, of an offense to national honor it does not become me to say.  The French nation are the last that would ever appreciate national honor by any number of millions it could withhold as a compensation for an injury offered to it.  The United States, commercial as they are, are the last that would settle such an account.  The proposition I allude to would be unworthy of both, and it is sincerely to be hoped that it will never be made.

To avoid the possibility of misapprehension, I repeat that this communication is made with the single view of apprising His Majesty’s Government of the consequences attending a measure which without such notice they might be inclined to pursue; that although I am not authorized to state what measures will be taken by the United States, yet I speak confidently of the principles they have adopted, and have no doubt they will never be abandoned.

This is the last communication I shall have the honor to make.  It is dictated by a sincere desire to restore a good intelligence, which seems to be endangered by the very measure intended to consolidate it.  Whatever be the result, the United States may appeal to the world to bear witness that in the assertion of the rights of their citizens and the dignity of their Government they have never swerved from the respect due to themselves and from that which they owe to the Government of France.

I pray your excellency to receive the assurance of the high consideration with which I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant,

EDW.  LIVINGSTON.

Mr. Livingston to Mr. Forsyth.

WASHINGTON, June 29, 1835.

Hon. JOHN FORSYTH,

Secretary of State, etc.

SIR:  After having by my note to the Duke de Broglie dated the 25th April last made a final effort to preserve a good understanding between the United States and France by suggesting such means of accommodation as I thought were consistent with the honor of the one country to offer and of the other to accept, I determined to avail myself of the leave to return which was given by your dispatch, No,—­, rather than to remain,