The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-22

| for the last two weeks absent from Washington,
and that the period of yotr return hitber from New
York was quite uncertain
Under these circumstances, (after a perusal of
your note which was laid before me this morning,)
lose not a moment in requesting you to repair TO
this city without unnecessary delay.
have the honor to b. very resps Pc sir'
your oDedient servant, j. M. CLAfTON.
NJ WM. TELL PoUssIN &c.
Translation Of a letter from the Munster Plenpoten-
ti@y Of France
LEGATION OF FRANCE IN THE UNITED STATES,
WAsHIsGToN, May II, lS49. 5
Sin: have just received from the Minister of
Foreign Affairs report which had been addressed
to the Minister of Marine by NJ Lavallee, the act
ing consul Of the Republic at Vera Cruz, from
which il appears that Mr. Carpenter, the conman-
der of the American steamer Iris, after hasten
ing To the assistance of the French ship Eugenie OF
Havre, which had struck on the bank OF Riso, near
the anchorage of Anton Lizardo, advanced claims
wholly inadmissible Oh account OF remuneration
for his services; and, to secure their acqulta he
detained the Eugene Ia mis- embargo sur PEuge'sis)
for two or three days Ia consequence OF the ener-
getic remonstrances of M. Layallee, and the hon
orabe Intervention of the consul OF the United
States at Vera Cruz, Commander Carpenter de-
sisted from his pretensions.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs requests me to
address to the Cabinet of Washington the most Sc
rious observations on the abuse OF authority COM
mitted by this officer in illegally OBTAINING the
ship Eugene.
You will easily comprehend, Mr.. Secretary of
State, how important it is that such occurrences
should not be repeated; and that severe blame, at
least, should be laid on those who thus considered
themselves empowered TO substitute arbitrary mea-
snres for justice; and doubt not that you will,
without delay, give satisfaction to the just com
plants of the French Republic.
embrace this occasion, Mr.. Secretary of State,
To renew the assurance Of my high consideration.
GUILLAUME TELL POUSSIN
To the Hon. J. M. CLAYTON, Secretary of State.
The Secretary Of State to NJ. Poussin.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, ! I.
WAsHINGTo May %, lS49.
Sir: | have received the note which you did me
the honor to address to the 18th instant, rela-
tive to the conduct of Commander Carpenter, OF the
United States navy, who, it is alleged, after has
tenng to the assistance of the French ship Euge-
nie,' of Havre, which had struck the bank of
Rise, the anchorage Of Anton Lizardo, ad-
vanced claims on account OF remuneration for his
services wholly inadnissible, and to the
quittal of which he detained the :" Eugenie for two
three days; but in consequence of the renlon
strances of M. Lavallee, the acting consul of
France at Vera Cruz, and the Intervention Of the
consul Of the United States at that port he dessted
from his pretensions.
The Secretary of the Navy, to whom transla-
ton of your note was sent, has communicated to
this Department Commander Carpender's explsna-
ton of the circumstances attending his rescue of
the Eugene, copy of which explanation have
the honor herewith enclose to you; and trust that
IL Wall remove any mlSdpprcnenslOn winch may
exist on the part of the French Government rela
tive to his conduct on the occasion in question
have the honor TO be, with distinguished consid
Grafton, your obedient servant,
JOHN M. CLAYTON
MIR. WILLIAM TELL PoussIN, Sc
Translation Of notef from the Minister Pienipotsntia
ry Of France.
LEGATION FRANCE,
WAsHINGToN, May 30, lS49.
\ ,.l he . -; IL
you did me the honor to address to me the same
day in to mine calling upon the Govern
ment of the United States to disavow the conduct of
Commander Carpenter, of the American war
steamer Iris towards the French ship Eugene, of
Havre, which had run upon the bank of Rise, near
the anchorage of Anton Lzardo.
The explanations given by Commander Carpen
der not of nature, Mr.. Secretary of State, such
to dispel the discomfort which his proceedings
have caused to my Government He considered, as
he says, and he still considers, that the was
one of salvage; that the rights acquired by him as
the saver of the vessel saved, empowered him TO
keep possession of her until his extravaganza preten
sions fully satisfied; but his opinions have lit
tie interest in our eyes when we have to condemn
his conduct.
called ON the Cabinet of w ashing ton, Mr. Sec
rotary of State, in the of the French Govern
ment, to address reproof to that officer of
the American navy, in order that the error which
he has committed on point involving the dignity
of your national marine might not be repeated
hereafter.
From your answer, Mr. Secretary of State, am
unfortunately induced TO believe that your Govern
ment subscrbes to the strange doctrines protested
by Commander Carpenter, of the war-steamer Iris;
and have only 10 protest, in the name of my Gov
eminent, against those doctrines
have the honor to be, with distinguished con-
sderation, your most obedient servant,
GUILLAUME TELL POUSSIN.
To the Hon. J. NJ. CLAYTON, Secretary Of State.
The Secretary Of State TO NJ. Poussin.
DEPARTNEST OF STATE, !
WAsHISGToN, June 5, lS49.
Sir: The note which you addressed to me on the
30th ultmo acknowledging the receipts of my letter
10 you of the 25th, transmitting Commander Car
pender's explanation of the circumstances attend
ing his rescue of the French ship " Eugenie," Of
Havre, duly received, and will be communi-
Gated, together with the rest Of the correspondence
between you and this Department the subject,
To the Minister of the United States in France with
instructions to submit it 10 the consideration of the
French Government.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obcdient servant.
J. NJ. CLAYTON.
Mr.. WIN. TELL PoUssIS, &c.