Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-09-28
DIfLoMATYC MICE11Es.

Observer the Washington correspondent of the Pha
dephia Ledger makes rather acute observations
the second of the following sentences which
the conclusion of Mr. de Tocquevles letter Mr. Rush
Furthermore, sir, it is not necessary for tell you
that entirely in the opinion which you express
upon not devlang in negotiations from the observances
and forms OF a benevolent courtesy.
Il invite NJ Poussin forget this rule his inter-
sure, that if be reciprocated the Observance OF it
will be rendered easy to him."
Mr. de Tocquevile's language is thus rendered in the
translation of his letter which was published in the Ma
tonal Intelgencer and the Republic. observer" re-
marks:
"The admission that he inptes M Poussn never tc
forget &C. sufficiently implies, to versed in polite
conversation that M Poussn had been guilty Of some
gducherie, and the sarcastic addendum that he is
sure that if it be recprocated, the observance will be
rendered easy him. may be construed as an invitation
80 Mr. Clayton to have mercy on M. Poussn, well
be little civil himself Mr. Clayton ought to re-
fleet that NJ de ocqueyes letter must sooner or later
have cometo the knowledge Of NJ Poussin, and that the
French diplomatic toreseeing doubt, that M Poussin
could not continue to be minister with advantage did
wish to add insult to injury by censurng and superse
ding him both. NJ. de Tccquevie, when he wrote his
letter 10 Mr. Rush. had, in all probability already fixed
MS eye on M Poussns successor but very naturally and
humaney wished to avoid overwhelming him with dis
grace"
Is impossible to determine, with any approach to
tanty whether the French Minister of Foreign Affairs
intended this very delicate hint but if he did intend
Mr. Caytons summary manner of dealing with Mr. Pous-
sin should be acceptable rather than dspleasng to him
tor relieves the French Government from the necessity
furnishing its representative with recall and thus ap-
pearing to censure him severely.
observer likewise suggests that, Though, in our Eng
6sh tranatons OF the French we may become acquain-
ed with the subectatter Of controversy vet we may
not seize the spirit of those peculiar turns by which
Frenchman may say things which perfectly admissible
IN his own language, though they may sound harsh when
translated into another And observer thinks the last
phrase quoted from M de Tocqueves letter is an exam
pie OF this fact
The original paragraph in A-vrosSs;
"J1nste III Foussina ne jaanais oubler cette reggie
dams rapp0rts lie Gouuerneent des Etats Uis
etyaa la cofance quon In readra observation ia
ciLe par Ia recprocite
(Which does correspond precisely with that given
by the translator OF the State Department 1t literally
means !T this \, c..,.
tereoprse with the Government OF the United States and
that the observance of 1t loU be rendered easy
10 him By reciprocity
This very different from the translation given by the
State Department, where M. de Tocquevie is made TO
say u 1t be reerocated the observance of it will be
rendered easy TO him. There is wide difference be-
tween the two meanings for while the first 0he trans
iaon expresses confidence the part of the French
Minister oil Foreign Affairs, that Mr. Clayton will by re-
epiocal Poeness render NJ Poussns task an easy one
ne rs oy the second lhe translation of the State Depart
Pousslns good conduct"
We ind that this view OF Mr. de TocqueyiIles mean
ing is confirmed by the retransaon of the sentence from
English into French, made by the Courier des Flats
Dnis which reads
"Jinvite M. Poussn amais ouber cee reple dams
ses rappors avec lie goqvemement des Etats Uns ct e
suss sur que s trouoe Ia recocit observation i en-
sera tres facile-"
Observers translation is certainly the more accurate
and the difference between and the translation attributed
to the State Department APPARENT but it not to be SUP
posed that the Secretary Of State failed to estimate with
critical exactness the real force of Mr. de Tocoueville
expression that the decision adopted towards Mr. Pous
SO, with the Presidents approval would have been avert
ed by the most enen construction of which that parcu-
lar expression capable The refusal to hold farther