The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-17

Our Washington Correspondence.
WASuINGrox Nov IL J9Ie
The Nee Phase of!A FSe~eh Di6ic,d,y.


The Ntio Phas If !hs F'e~ch Difficulty.
The reply of De Tocqueville, alluded to In my
last to Mr.. Clayton's sharp diplomatic note, was
received at the beginning OF last week. Further
dispatches were received on Monday last, but of
40 material importance. This government has
been unoificlally informed that Mr. Rives had not
placed himself 10 official communication with the
French government on account of the severe ILL
ness OF his son, who is not expected 10 survive.
The substance Of the Frsnch Minister'S reply to
The Secretary of Sales last official despatch is,
that while the tone of Mr.. Poussins Diplomatic
correspondence with this government was excep-
nonable, TO degree mat rendered his recall pro-
per, that OF the Uncd States Secretary Of State TO
the FTencs government Is not less so, and should
be reconsidered
Let us take briet retrospective glance at the
whole difficulty, aud discuss IL in the language Of
gentemany lmparuallty.
For various reasoDs-lt Is always difficult to ac-
count for individual antlpathlrs--Mr Clayton did
not admire Nr. Posssin; neither did the French
Ambassador entertain very uxalted degree OF re-
spect for Mr.. Clayt Oae amusing cause OF this
unpleasant feeling was, that th- Secretary OF State
mlspron ounced hts name, which is varlously pro-
nounced, "Powson," - POosun," Z" Pooseng,"
" Pouchong,' (under "a mlsspprehension that he
was the inventor OF poachons teal Po1sang,
very frequently "Poozan," and roasong.
Which OF these pronuncld,ions II was which lrri-
tatcd the unfortunate envoy, II Is unnecessary 10
say. Mr.. Clayton does not seem To nave been
better pleased On h,s part The personal accom-
plishments Of M Poussln are scarcely equal TO the
delicate position Of d'pl"mat. IL may be brave
and democratic 10 discard the little ceremonies OF
polite intercourse and possb bly, indicates an intel
ect TOO gigantic 10 descrnd 10 small matters, (as
in the case of Mr. Grreley.) but IN the intercourse
of nations, this amabls show OF respect aud $ dis
tinguisbed consideration" ~ "A very essential pre-
| requisite to a good understanding, which seems to
have been forgotten IN his instance Az this stage
nj aIrt nv
| to which II would now be sutererogatory 20 aiinae
the Porte clam CAM Mp IL was urged, spPa-
rently, without a too close examination OF me
| facts, In what was evidently intended TO De
the language Of eperge'ic aud spirited remon-
| STRANGE. The enthusiastic French diplomat, per-
| hsps with the pre- cedcnt e-tabllshed IN the a.
| plomatc intercourse OF Mr.. R,ves with his GO
vemment In a similar case OF claims IN his eye,
| ventured upon severe apimadvereion. MI. Clay
| ton with the sensitive dignity of a new diploma
fist, Instantly, and IN zone ct peremPtory com
| mand, demanded the real at the offensive notes
| which was promptly accrded to. In the meantime,
the claim was briefly dismissed, with general de-
| NAL Of lts Justice founded upon the alleged dupi-
city of M. Porte himself, which charge. II must be
| admitted was supported solely by ex-parte ev-
| dencs. The language OF the secretary OF State in
this correspondence, was at that stiif, unpolshed
and ungraceiul order OF dignity indicative OF cen
| cealed personal dislike, rather than OF that non
| personal, conscious, commanding aod lmpcrurbablc
dignity which Is usually exhibited IN such inter-
| course, by experienced diplomatic representatives,
|
M Poussln should have learned wisdom, by this
| bit of experience of m. temper of the government
| to which he was accredued; but he did not, and
upon repeating the ofiroce IN what was really a bad
| cause.-The care OF the Eug-nie-the not unwelcome
opportunity was at o,ce taken advantage OF, to re-
| port HIM untsvorsbly to his government. The re-
| ply of De Tocqueviilr, who is evidently not very
ismilisI with the art of diplomacy, on the whole
sustained the envoy of hls government, but did not
take that comprehensive view Of the difficulty
which was expected, while it reflected upon the
| manner IN which the intercourse had been conduct
| ed on boih sides MI Clayton, remember, had not
| demanded the recall Of the minister, but apparently
eitlto be inferred hir this government expected IT.
| M. DE Toccuevle's construction of the language
Of his despatch might depend upon his translator,
and under all The circumstances a considerable de-
| gree of lIberality demanded. The mistake Of
the Secretary of State, thea, II he has made one,
| WAS IN replying to that despatch IN tone OF sharp
| recrimlnstion, exhibiting wounded personal pride,
| rather Than. a calm assertion of national dignity.
| The position Of NJ De Tocqueville at the present
| stsge Of the difficulty. may b. equally untenable (;
| fto, little mutual conversation, under the cour-
teous auspices OF NJ Bois DE- la Comte, may heal the
| breach aud restore harmony. CoRREsPoSDENr.