The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-09-24

The DiMcuity with France-Mr. Clayton
and mr.. POussin.

new hork, MONDAY, sePtsmoer on, AoHos
The Difficulty with France-Mr. Clayton
and mr.. P0ussin.
We published yesterday, the whole of the cor
respondence which has taken place between our
governm mt and that Of France, in relation to the
recent difficulty and the reputation of Mr. Poussln.
A calm examination Of that correspondence by
an impartial mind, will prodace differences some
what different to those which have been drawn
by the newspaper eulogsts OF Mr.. Clayton, IN
reference TO the origin, the nature, and the cir
cumstances, attending this ridiculous quarrel with
a weak functionary.
The first blow IN this diplomatic scuille, was
undoubtedly gwen under the advice of Mr.. Clay
ton, the American Secretary Of State, and it was
directed at Mr.. Poussin In his private relations,
at the first diplomatic ffte given by the President
in the White House This blow created all the
subsequent bitterness and bad feeling which have
prevailed on both sides, IN the correspondence be-
tween Mr.. Clayton and Mr.. Poussin. II Mr..
Poussin, in consequence of his social relations,
was unfit to associate with other members of the
diplomatic corp, at Washington, the proper course
for our government to have pursued, would have
been at onoe to have demanded his recall by the
French government, before he had commenced
afterwards presented If the morality and prin-
cipes of the French government would not allow
them to recall him, in order to satisfy the strong
puritsnical feeling OF the government at Wash
ington, it would have been the duty of the Presi-
dent, when such refusal was communicated to him,
to rspudiate the French Minister; bat by no
means to wait and complicate the affairs and
lations Of the two great and only republics in the
world. The controversy should not have been
permitted to 60 on so far; and If Mr.. Clayton were
fit for his position, and possessed the usual share
of intelligence and tact, he would have taken a
proper stand as early as March last, on the very
ground from which has sprung all the acerbity and
bad feeling in this business.
With regard to the probability of war result
ing from this business, between the two republics,
we cannot regard limitations Of sucha contingent
ey occurring, no matter from what quarter they
may emanate, in any other light but as iallacious
or farcisl. The tone OF the French Minister Of
Foreign Affairs convinces the accuracy Of eur
opinion. That functonary even goes SO far as to
express surprise at the harshness and bad feeling
which are exhibited in the correspondence, con-
cernmg Zach a small affair The limitations
thrown out in the newspaper articles, published
under the inspirations Of Mr.. Clayton, that Louis
Napoleon, OF the French republic, desires to make
war on the United States, in order to te feel
ing Of sympathy in the bosom Of the European
despots for him and against this county, utterly
abrurd and hostile TO all the correct differences thai
can be drawn from the nature, character and his
torical antecedents Of the French people. What
ever may be the sentiments or policy Of Losis
Napoleon, there can be no mistake about the feel
ings and sympathies entertained by the French
army and the French people towards the govern
ment and people Of the United States. II war
occur within a few years, between France and
any other country, we believe it will be war with
ENGLAND, and not one between France and the
United States. The French people, both civil and
military. have been burning for thirty years past,
to wipe Out the stain Of Waterloo, and, with the
vast Improvements which steam has made IN ma
rine navigation, they believe they could transpor
French army to the shores Of England, In spite OF
al the fleets in the world, and renew, in day,
some of the most brilliant enterprises Of the Nor
E,ans in the time Of William the First. II is
much more likely that, under the influence OF
Russia, with which country Louis Napoleon seems
TO have a strong sympathy, difficulty would
socner take place between France and England,
leading to a war between the two countries, than
that any difficulty between France and the United
States should occur.
With this view Of the matter, how puerile, If not
how unwise, has been the conduct OF Mr. Clay
ton, our Secretary Of State, to menace our CON.
meroial interests with war between ihis country
and France, on such paltry and contemplate
quarrel as he has got up with the weak and i'll
tempered MIR. Poussin. The Secretary's organs in
Washington, Philadei phIa and New York, pre-
tending to advocate all the doctrines Of peace
have been the busiest and most clanorous ia en-
deuvonDg to create a panic IN favor of war; merely
to hide the imbechty and Stiffness OF Mr.. Clayton
Ia this quarrel vita Mr. Poussin, originating ia the
exclusion Of lady from the diplomatic J5,es Of the
White House, in consequence OF peep behind a
marriage certificate, s,ealthily taken by modern
Peepiug Tom.
We are glad, therefore, that this contemplate
humbug is rapidly blowing over. People are be-
ginning TO recover their senses-to see where the
errors have been committed. and 10 acquit both the
President of the United States and the French 20
,ernment Of any desire to bring about state Of
ali. nation, leading 20 a war between the two re-
rub.cs but they will not hold equally g'nltless the
ioIly the impertIpence, the weakness aud bad tenn
per. Lo, Of Mr. Clayton, the Secretary Of State at
Wlsbingl on, aud Mr.. POussin, the French Minis
ter PlenipoteDtIary.
News FROM CALIFORNIA The popular tieaui-
ship Crescent C;y, Captain stcddard, will be due
here on Wednesday, from, Chagres and Kingston,
Jamaica she may bring We three weeks later
intelligence from California;