Mediation of Great Britain - French Affairs

[ Doc. No. 116. ] 7 been since twice asserted and enforced by him in his messages to Congress, in terms proportion*3^ in their explicitness and solemnity, to the conviction he entertains of the importance and inviolability of the principle involved. The United States cannot yield this principle, nor can they do, or consent to, any measure, by which its influence in the action of their political system can be obstructed or diminished. Under these circumstances, the President feels that he may rely on the intelligence and liberality of his Britannic Majesty’s Government, for a correct estimation of the imperative obligations which leave him no power to subject this point to the control of any foreign State, whatever may be his confidence in its justice and impar tiality—a confidence which he has taken pleasure in instructing the undersigned to state is fully reposed by him in the Government of his Britannic Majesty. So great, however, is the desire of the President for the restoration of a good understanding with the Goyernnient of France^ provided it, can be effected on terms compatible with the honor and independence of the United States; that if, after the frank avowal of his sentiments upon the point as: referred to, and the explicit reservation of that point, the Government of his Britannic Majesty shall believe that its mediation can be useful in adjusting the differences which exist between th, two countries, and in restoring all their relations to a friendly footing, he instructs the un Ur- signed to inform Mr. Bankhead, that in such Case, the offer of mediation, made in his note, is cheerfully accepted. The United States desire nothing but equal and exa.-t justice : and they cannot but hope, that the good offices oi a third Power, friendly to both parties, and prompted bv the elevated considerations manifested in Mr. Bankhead’s note, may promote the attainment of this end. Influenced by these motives, the President will cordially corbperafe, so fax as his constitutional powers may enable him. in such steps as may be requisite, on rhe pari ot the United States, to j-ive-ff '. : m th * proposed mediation. He trusts that no unnecessary delay will be allowed to occur, mid instructs th undersigned to request, that the earliest information of the measures taken bv Great Britain, and of their result, may he communicated to this Government. bhe undersigned avails himself of the occasion, to renew to Mr. Bank- head the assurances of his distinguished consideration. JOHN FORSYTH. Washi>uton, February 15, 1S3G. Tile undersigned. his Britannic Majesty’s (/liam d'Affaires, with rcle- r< nee to his note of the 2Zth of last month, has the honor to inform Mr. Forsyth, Secretary of State of the United States. dial h< has been instructed by hisGoverriment tostate. that the British Government has received a communication from that of France, winch fulfils the wishes that impelled his Britannic Majesty to offer his mediation for the purpose of effet ting an amicable adjustment of tl nee. between France and the United States. The French Government has stated tn that of his Majesty, that the rank and honora! ■ • • m hi m whu-a hePresidenthas. in his r-cunt message, expressed himself with regard to the points of difference between the Go?

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