Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-09-28

relation TO Inc recent 0iulculty With, anu ulS- II
missal of, the French Minister; and after hav. c
ing done so, we have come 10 the ineyiiablet
conclusion, that far too much importance has
been attached to this matter. We can see no. !
thing in the whole affair that is at all likely L
to disturb the peaceful relations existing be-
tween the two Republics. Indeed, although
in the letters of MIR. Poussin there is much TO
blame in tone and manner, still we can find
nothing 10 Justify the idea of premeditated
insult, either on the part of the Minister, or
of the Government he represents. Perhaps
TOO, Mr. Clayton is not totally devoid OF
blame in the matter. We cannot conceal from
ourself the fact that, while the French Minis
ter's communications are extremely objection
able, no high rank either in diplomatic cour-
tesy or ability can be claimed for those of Mr.
Clayton. On the whole, il seems more like
an exhibition of personal acerbity on the part
of the worthy diplomats towards each other,
than anything deserving attention as nation
al matter. Indeed it is gravely limited that a
lady is at the bottom of the whole affair.
which has had its rise in some neglect or viola
ton of socialetquette. Atany rate unless there
should exist a pre-determination to have a
quarrel "nolus volus,'' as old Zach would
classically express himself, it is impossible to
see how any hostile relations can grow out
of it.
, The first half of the correspondence, extern
| ding from Feb. 27th, ls4e, till April 2lst, OF
the same year, relates to claim preferred by
: the French Minister ON behalf of Frenchman
t named Port, who bought quantity OF tobac-
co seized at Puebla, Mexico, in October of
1S47, as the property OF the Mexican govern
ment, which tobacco was sold at public auc-
ton by the agents of the United States, on be
half of our government. 1t seems that the
. tobacco was sold by mistake, having been
previously disposed of to another person, of
which circumstance, it is alleged, Por: was
, fully aware at the time of buying it. claim
was preferred by the former purchaser, Mr..
Domercq, for the tobacco, which claim was
. allowed, and restitution ordered and made
;, Potts purchase of the tobacco was thus an
6 nulled, and the tobacco was taken from him
r and restored to Domercq, the purchase mo-
ney being returned TO him. Port then prefer
red claim for S. 900 damages, alledgng tina:
Il he had suffered losses to that amount by hav-
~ ing his bargain for the tobacco broken through,
70 This claim was abjudicated upon and refused
~ by a military court at Puebla, on the ground
p that Port knew at the time that he bought the
- tobacco, that il was private property, and con-
J" sequently did so at his own risk. The deci
> sion of the court was approved by both Gems
~ Scott and Butler the latter General, however
gave orders to the commandant at Puebla tt
1T lay the whole case Immediately before III,
III Secretary OF War; These seem to be The
Il facts of the case as nearly as we can arrive a
&c them. The whole matter rests upon the ques
u ton as TO whether Port acted in good faith il
= the purchase of the tobacco; if he did, he wa
u. entitled to damages, if he did not, he had n,
u right to them.
Gu In reply 10 M. Porssin's demand for dana
AZ ges on behalf of Port, Mr.. Clayton laid be
10 fore him the proceedings of the court at Pue
- ba and other documents relating to the affair
Il" adding that he could see no reason for interior
"o ing with the decision of that court. The let
~ tiers and testimony of Col. Childs, the Cover
- nor of Puebla, directly charge Port with dis
'"' hon esty in the affair. Poussin, in his reply
NC retorts warmly upon Col. Chds, and cor
q" cludes his communication with the followin
"0 sentence:
lao '" The Government of the United States mu
me be convinced that it is honorable to acqu
be fairly debt contracted during war, under Il
m. pressure of necessity, than avoid its payment
endeavoring to brand the character Of an hone
eu' man."
his This highly Objectionable sentence W;
Sc promptly withdrawn on demand of Mr.. Clay
leu ton. and the paper was fled in the Departme
INC of State. This prompt withdrawal by M
at Poussin, was accepted as full atonement f
ei' any offensive expressions which had bee
Co., used in relation TO the affair OF Mr.. Port, al
ole the matter being thus settled, we cannot 81
any bearing it Can have at present, but as
the has been lugged in by Mr.. Clayton, v
Dur have thought it better to give plain stat
TIL ment OF the whole affair. The correspondent
ng, closed with the 2lst of April of this year.
lei The second transaction embraced in the co
respondence, and indeed the only one whi'
m can properly have any bearing upon the SUI
ject, relates to a claim for salvage, made
Capt. Carpenter, of the United States Steam
ing IRIS, for saving the French ship Eugente,
If Vera Cruz, whilst on the rock Ell Rise, ne
ties the anchorage Of Anton Lizardo, in 184S.,
or Captain Carpenter, conceiving that the of
GERS and men OF the Iris were entitled to So
/. wage, detained the Eugene for some time; al
b. the payment of salvage having been refus
!. by the consignee, he restored her TO the Ca
tain, The French Minister demands tn
h. Capt. Carpenter shall be severely censur
on for what he deems an insult 10 the Fren
9Th flag, in. as he alleges, the illegal detention
the Eugene The u s. Government, belle
nj. ing that there was nothing censurabIe in Il
arm conduct OF Capt. Carpenter, refused to cor
IN ply with the demand of the French Minister
n The law officer of the United States havil
his given his opinion in favor of the right of Cal
Carpenter TO claim salvage, and detain Il