The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-03

history The facts briefly these. The French minis
ter Mr. Genet at that period had rendered himself Justly
obnoxious to the government of the United States. In
August, i793 Mr. Jefferson. then Secretary OF State moi
contenting himself. Mr. Clayton has done with mere
ly laying the papers before the French government and
expressing opinion in relation to Genets conduct
peremptorily demanded his recall The French govern
ment complied with the demand and he was Immediately
recalled This is the first precedent in our history, which
are bound TO presume Mr.. Clayton had before him
when he decided upon his course in the affair Of NJ
Poussin
The other precedent occurred in the time Of Mr.. Mad
ison when Mr. jackson, known at that day Copenha
gen Jackson, was righfuly dismissed. We do not, as
did not in the Of Mr. Genet 60 into the
which led 10 his dismissal We only state how it was
done. In the Of Mr. jackson this the course
pursued Mr. Smith, the then Secretary Of State inform
ed him by note OF the Sth OF November. 1909, that
further communication would be received from him
British minister This is the second precedent in
own history, which we are bound TO presume Mr..
Clayton had before him, for prori to conclude
that he is well informed in the history Of his coun-
try.
Now if Mr. Clayton had even followed this last pre-
cedent if he had on the 5h Of June last pursued in
laton to NJ Poussin, the example set by Mr. Madi-
son in the case of Copenhagen jackson, without
any previous reference Of this question to the French
government it could have given just cause OF offence
to that government whether in their opinion, the act
had been right wrong, for the reasons which we have
stated above applicable to the recall OF minister
the request Of the government to which he has been
accredited The misfortune is, that now, the French
government by the fatal faur pas of Mr. Clayton, has
become implicated before the porid upon the merits Of the
question.
Besides had Mr.. Clayton dismissed M. Poussn in the
6rs instance nothing would have been easier than for
that gentleman. had he been disposed to apologize for
any mproprees in his language, and to withdraw the
offensive note and thus the affair." then personal TO him.
self. might have terminated. We cannot how this
can now be done because the question has assumed
new aspect and has become one bstoeen the governments
of the tuo nations.
Mr. Clayton, therefore, has, by his gross bunging in
this affair." transferred his personal quarrel with NJ Pous-
sin 70 the French government, and THUS MADE 1T
NATIONAL QUARREL. And in this lies all the danger
which involved in the It may, with proud and
sensitive nation like the French. lead to serious difficult
ties 1t may lead to suspension Of national intercourse
and it may result in war II the latter should be the
denouement of the afar these two great and friendly
nations thus involved in from which they can
not be extricated without immense sacrifice of life and
property on both sdes-how stupendously criminal will
this fragrant and nexcusabe mismanagemen OF our Sec
rotary Of State then become!
In that event, we have doubt the American people
will fight il out with glory and honor to themselves
I'D -- .-. that sh-.e wound be ai~sisn aIne-s
them But what should be the sentence OF the world
Il
faulty had caused such immense caames to his
try as war would surely bring in its train'
Certainly, we think Mr.. Clayton and his compeers in
the cabinet had better go to school, and begin their ex.
ercises in the First Easy Lessons Of History