The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-20
Tn. D,nieulty Win France.


The Diniculty with France.
We are still unable to lay before readers anything
partaking Of the character Of official information relative
to the difficulties between the cabinet and the French min
ister Both Of the organs profoundly silent yesterday
which establishes conclusyey that there is some ounda
ton for the rumors in circulation that Monsieur Poussa
has been informed that his passports for him. The
Baltimore Sun Of yesterday contains statements from it's
Washington correspondents similar to those which we
have already laid before our readers and it TO be
the determination Of the cabinet to feel the public pulse
before permitting either the National Intsgene or the
Republic to say anything on the subject.
Ii is well understood that Mr.. Clayton has taken
offence at some diplomatic note OF the French minister,
and has demanded Louis Napoleon to recall him. But
il seems to be matter Of doubt whether any reply has
been received from France whether reply has been
received refusing to recall M. Poussin. We rather
think. from the manner in which this affair has
been brought before the public, that reply has been
received from the French government, inmaing to the
here, that the controversy was not one OF
sufficient importance to require the recall OF the French
minister The Baltimore Sun. the day preceding the
announcement Of this difficulty contained an editorial
article which was evidently written with great care,
and for the purpose OF exaspeating the people OF the
United States against France, and preparing the public
mind for rupture with that power Had the article to
which we aude appeared in Washington journal, we
should have considered it semo6eial paper from the
Department Of State AS il is, incline to the belief
that it was prepared in Washington and transmitted to
Baltimore for the purpose have mentioned II this
shpposon be well founded is clear that the real cause
of the existing difficulty has not yet been announced
What that cause is we, of cannot say but while
we are ready to sustain the OF country and the
honor OF our flag on all occasions, must be permitted
to say, that we hope that the administration will not
bring ON us conflict with France mere question Of
diplomatic etiquette. unless rights and honor make
such course necessary. Already government stocks
ILL., - an. r,,arihern markets on account OF the
news OF this dhcuty, and we look win anxiety Tor
authoritative exposition Of the state Of relations
with France, which will commerce Of the true
condition of things.
Some persons believe that tb. French government have
complained Of the appointment Of Mr. Rves as minister
to that country and that the difficulty with the French
minister, il did not grow out OF that selection SOLELY
mainly owing to the unkind feelings engendered by
it. and which manifested themselves in diplomatic dis
cussion another subject II may not be uninteesng
therefore, TO refer 10 the circumstances which have
caused the belief that Mr.. Rivess mission to France
would be dspleasing TO that nation. During General
Jacksons administration that gentleman was sent 10
France and nrusted with the negotiations relative TO
the indemnity due from that government to the United
States His dispatches relative TO those negotiations were
Of such character TO call forth the denuncaiions Of
the wing party Of that day deliberate insults aimed at
the French nation. Indeed, no American minister was
denounced with much vehement bitterness as that
which the wing leaders employed in denouncng the man
whom they have now sent 10 represent at ST. Cloud,
prominent wing speaker s,igmatzed one Of his CON-
the 'horse- Jockey despatch" And that
despatch regarded by the French statesmen as so in
sung that II mistake not. one OF them in the French
Chambers spoke Of pacing the money in one scale for
the honor OF France, and tie srord IN the other for The
honor Of France also" We confess therefore, that we
were somewhat surprised when il was announced tina,
The same party which denounced Mr. Rivess conduct as
insulting to the French government by reason Of its in.
lecorous Boosting had selected Mr.. Rives 10 watch
over our relations with that country. When this
appointment was first announced the republican cause
mad not been Frustrated in the land OF Lafayette and il
was mistake in the new administration to send as
'ur representative 70 Paris whose presence could be
u no value 10 the French republicans account of his
Unpopular conduct in former years. II may have
'een necessary to assign him this important post,
n order to place him out Of the way Of ri
raj wing asprants for the presidency, and to
make matters smooth in the ranks of the party But
he French people could know nothing Of such motives
Ind they must have regarded his appointment as ndca
i've Of an unfriendy spirit towards them. We do not
therefore, hesitate to say that Mr. Rvess selecoa was
rot judcious 1--WE trust that il may not prove to be
Unfortunate. Without any reference to his political ca
eer to his abandonment Of the principles which he
eaned in early life, to his tortuous course since his
assertion, the administration wished to preserve friend
and cordial relations with France, to sustain the
french people in the effort they then making to
stablish republican Institutions. his nomination should
ave been avoided as zone not 1T to be made"
The French minister many years an officer in our
ervce. He admires institutions and as author
e has defended them with zeal and ability. We do not
now that he was ever in political life in France but he
selected as the French representative the United
aies on account OF his republican sentiments by the
rovsional government under Lamarne, soon after the
ight Of Louis Philippe. Although we have no respect
or the character Of Louis Napoeon-and although we
ave lost most Of sympathy for nation which has
laced such at their head. merely because he be-
'nged to the family Of the Bonsparsts althoush our
cpes have sbsted Of the glorious fruits Of the attempt