The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-14
Tn. quarrel with France.

The dispute with France is evidently becoming a
serious matter and in the hands of two such sensitive
gentlemen Mr. Clayton and M de Tocqueville it may
grow into open rupture, and perhaps an appeal 10
To show our readers that we are not mistaken in
our apprehensions, copy the following paragraph
from the letter of "Alpha" in the New York Tribune Of
the 18th inst. "Alpha" says:
81 apprehensive, for that is unnecessary
enumerate that the aspect OF relations with France is
not so pacific as it was when the previous to
the last two LEFT Europe What mean is, that there is
more of disposition manifested by the French govern.
ment, according the last advces, be dissatisfied and
find fault than there is any plausible preex for.
do not know that this should he wondered when
remember her cruel interference crush the hopes Of the
infant Roman republic, and her reemen again
with the chains of civil and ecclesiastical despotism
Funce rather her present civil authorities
terrain malignant hatred toward every nation whose
institutions have republican tendency; and may be
owing this morbid feeling her part that she exhibits
the disposition she does toward the United States"
We do not consider that the nature OF the difficulty is
serious and profound alpha speaking the voice
OF Mr.. Clayton, magines II does not, think, orig
nate from the hatred which France bears towards the
United States and her institutions On the contrary we
believe il has its origin in want OF knowledge of dplo.
matte etiquette and courtesy the part OF Mr. Clayton
We alluded to the true cause yesterday. Mr.. Clayton
sent his letter announcing the dismsson Of ~ Poussin
10 NJ de Tocqueve by mall instead OF transmitting il
through diplomatic representative al Paris Mr. Rush.
by special courier He thereby treated the Minister
Of Foreign Affairs Of France with consideration
than he would private individual He did not seem to
know that the usage OF nations, when they address each
other, is to despatch special courier or transmit their
communications through their accredited ministers Nor
should be surprised il should turn that some Of
the expressions in Mr. Claytons letter offensive aid
that NJ de Tocquevle demands apology for them and
their retracton II Mr. Clayton were the minister OF the
United States al Paris NJ de Tocqueve would undoub
edly dismiss him unceremoniously (as the former did M
Poussin for similar offence, and send him home in dis.
grace. But, being out of the reach OF such summary
rebuke, NJ de Tocqueville is compelled to require Mr.
Clayton 10 take back his rude and incorporate language
and admit his want Of knowledge of diplomatic usage
as indicated by sending his letter by the ordinary mail
conveyance
The amount Of the French quarrel seems to be this
Poussin writes letters to Mr. Clayton containing rough
and unguarded expressions; TO which Mr. Clayton re-
plies in language equally improper. and finally dis.
misses M. Poussin, and sends him home in disgrace
Mr.. Clayton writes TO M. de Tocquevlle letter con.
tanning rude and Incorporate language, such hardly
would be allowed in a correspondence between gentle.
men, and sends his letter by mail. thus violating d.
plomatic good breeding and usage, il nothing else.
M. de Tocqueville, not having the power to dismiss
Mr.. Clayton and send him home in disgrace demands
Of him to take back his offensive language, and
apologize for his ignorant blunder committed in send.
ing letter to sovereign nation by mail instead OF the
usual means Of diplomatic communication There is no
great principle involved, any great national right but
the whole quarrel grows out OF the ignorance and bad
temper Of the dplomatsts on both sides Now, were
ever two great nations before embroied with each other
about matters thoroughly contemplate And are the
people OF France and the people Of America to be set TO
cutting each others threats, and shooting each other
down, because such cholerc gentlemen as Messrs Clay.
ton and Poussn-both betraying lamenabe ignorance
Of diplomatic etiquette and courtesy-shoud get to writing
to each other letters containing rude and incorporate
language and because OF them should insult high.
minded and sensitivanation, by sending diplomatic com
munication TO its government by mail
To minds, the whole affair seems to be supremely
absurd and ridiculous and would be in favor OF hay
ing all threeMessrs Poussin, Clayton and De Tocque
vile, and the French President in additiondismissed
from public service, rather than TO have the two great re-
publcs OF the world get into shameful and disgraceul
fight about matters so trivial and contemplate Our
country as well France, is new suffering the conse
luences Of committing the delicate business Of managing