Legation of the
United States,
Paris, July 31, 1873. (Received August
16.)
No. 840.]
President McMahon sent a message to the assembly on the eve of the
adjournment, which has been very well received.
I send you a copy of the message, as well as some comments thereon by
journals on opposite sides. There is now a profound political calm
throughout all France.
[Inclosure l.]
Prorogation of the French Assembly.
In to-day’s sitting of the assembly the treaties of commerce with England
and Belgium were adopted after a short debate.
The Duke de Broglie then read the message of Marshal MacMahon, proroguing
the session.
The text of the message was as follows:
“The national assembly has decided to suspend its labors for a few
months. It may take its departure without uneasiness, for I venture to
assure it that nothing will occur in its absence to endanger the
maintenance of public order. The legitimate authority of the assembly
will be everywhere respected, and I shall insure this with the
co-operation of the ministers whom I have chosen from among you. It is a
matter of congratulation to me to see that the ministry is honored with
your confidence. The harmony so desirable between the government and the
assembly, even during the short space of time which has elapsed since
you placed the government in my hands, has already produced the happiest
results. Owing to this union, important laws have been voted almost
without debate. I place first among them the law which assures the
defense of the country in giving a definitive organization to the army,
which a few days since you greeted with your acclamations. When you
re-assemble, a great event, impatiently expected, will have been
accomplished. The foreign occupation will have ceased. The eastern
departments, which have so nobly paid their debt to the country, since
they were the first victims of the war, and the last pledges of peace,
will at length be released from the trial they have heroically
supported. We shall no longer see on French territory any other than a
French army. This inestimable benefit is the common work of the
patriotism of all. My predecessor powerfully contributed by successful
negotiations to prepare the way for it. You aided him in his task by
affording him your support which never failed him, and now a prudent and
firm policy which permits the development of public wealth will rapidly
efface the traces of our disasters. Finally, it is our laborious
population who have above all contributed to hasten their own liberation
by their readiness to accept the heaviest burdens. France on that great
day will testify her gratitude to all who have served her, but in the
expression of her patriotic joy she will observe the moderation which
befits her dignity. She would, I am sure, rebuke noisy manifestations,
little suited to her memory of the grievous sacrifices which were the
cost of peace. That peace, so dearly bought, is our first necessity. Our
firm resolution is to maintain it and place France in complete
possession of herself. France will be better capable, even than before,
of maintaining with all foreign powers sincerely friendly relations.
These feelings are reciprocal on their part, and of this I daily receive
formal assurance. Such is the fruit of the wise line of conduct, which
the assembly, forgetting internal differences to think only of the
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country’s general interests,
have several times confirmed by its unanimous vote. You will approve me
in continuing this policy.”
The passage of the message alluding to the successful negotiations for
the liberation of the territory conducted by M. Thiers was received with
applause by the Left. At the conclusion of the message there were
repeated rounds of applause from the Right and the two Centers. The
assembly is prorogued until the 5th of November.
