The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-09-27
The French Diflitn!Y----lll Sorts Of Ezplana-

lions.
First-From the semi-official cores
pondence of the North american. In
dependent has the ear of the Secretary
of State, Mr.. CLAYTON, and perhaps speaks
by authority. He says by telegraph,
Sept. Is:
As long ago as in February, M. Poussin,
the French Minister, presented to M. Bu-
chanan, then Secretary Of State, 1claim in
behalr of M. Porte, Frenchman, residing
in Mexico Porte had purchased Tobac-
co, sold by the agents of the American ar
my, knowing ii 10 be private property, and
not subject 10 the rules of war. The to-
bacco was restored to It's proper owner by
Col. Childs, the commanding officer, and
the purchase money refunded to Porte
Under these circumstances, claim was
set up by the French Minister for DANA
ges, being the difference between the price
at which Porte had purchased and sold.-
A court of inquiry was held, and decided
unanimously against the claim, and the
decision was approved by Gen. Scott.
Mr.. Buchanan went out of Office without
examining the case; and then ii came be-
fore the present administration. The find
ing was reahirmed by Mr.. Clayton, and
in answer to a note of Nj. Poussin, the
Secretary of State sustained the verdict of
the Court and his own approval.
Nj. Poussin rejoined, charging Colonel
Childs virtually with perjury, and using
other insulting language. He was invited
to Washington, being then absent, and the
alternative of Withdrawing or adopting his
offensive note, was offered. lie withdrew
ii, expurgated the offensive terms, and then
renewed the communication, which was
accepted. Here, it was supposed, all
difficulty would end. Subsequently, how
ever, Poussin presented another note,
claiming the punishment of Commander
Carpenter, under the following circum-
stances:
Commander Carpenter, while forming
part of the blockading squadron on the
coast of Mexico, was called upon by the
Captain of the French ship Eugenia. to
rescue her from shipwreck. He, with his
crew, succeeded, after much labor, and
afterwards requested the legal salvage
This was refused,-whereupon Com.
Carpenter restored the vessel to her cap
tain; she having laid alongside the Iris for
thirty hours. Mir. Clifford, the Minister
at Mexico, approved of Carpenters con-
duet. When this subject was submitted
TO Mr.. Clayton, it was referred to Mr..
Preston, who furnished Carpenters state
ment of the facts. NJ. Poussiu, instead of
referring the correspondence TO his Gov
ernment, wrote an insulting letter, in which
he reflected grossly upon the character and
honor of the American marine.
IL. tod tl,ox hole
correspondence to be laid before the French
Government, expecting immediate and
voluntary redress. Instead of atonement,
the French Minister of Foreign Affairs
attempted to inculpate our Government,
and to divide the responsibility. As soon
as this information was received, the Pres
ident ordered no further correspondence
to be held with NJ. Poussin, and his pass
ports to be placed at his disposal.
From the New York Herald.
Soon after M. Poussin arrived in this
country from France, he opened, or ex-
pressed desire to open diplomatic cor
respondence with the Secretary of State,
then Mr.. Buchanan on two very lmpor-
tant points. These points or topics, were,
First, more intimate and beneficial COM
mercial treaty between France and the
United States, on the basis OF generous
reciprocity, which might increase the trade
of the two republics, beyond what 1t has
been of late years. The next important
point was a claim put forth by certain
French citizens, in Vera Cruz, whose
property there, during the bombardment
by Gen. Scott, had been injured or des-
troyed, amounting to SS60,OOO, by one
estimate, or $2,l5O,O00 by another estl-
mate The old administration, that of
Mr.. Polk, received this proposition with
courtesy, but referred NJ. Poussin to the
new powers, who were soon to come IN
with Gen. Taylor.
Thus far, so far. On the accession OF
Gen. Taylor, and the appointment OF his
cabinet, NJ. Poussin opened the same budg-
ct with Mr.. Clayton. Nothing OF any
consequence took place on the subject OF
commercial treaty, but very bitter anG
correspondence was the result OF
the notes on the claim put forth for the
loss of French property. destroyed by the
of Vera Cruz, under COM
mand of Gen. Scott. MIR. Clayton, on the |
part of our government, refused to admit
the claim. NJ. Poussin insisted on Its
validity, and interspersed some very pun
gent illusions to the honor and honesty OF
the French government in paying up the
American claims on France, some years
ago, after the insulting correspondence OF
Mr.. Rives towards the French govern
ment. At these illusions, Mr.. Clayton
took fire, and, under advice, made direct