The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-10-03
DlsIs.aysal OF the E.rs,,,cS, bzInIster.,

DislaaissaR OF the French Rainisaer
Some few weeks since runor mentioned
some cabinet difficulties with the French
| Minister, but, like all such diplomatic discuss
lislons, it was; generally supposed to have been
anicably adjusted. Onthe 20,h the sl.o!e
Union was amazed by The receipt Of news
of the dismissal Of the French Minister, b,
Telegraph, but as the latter had moved rath.
or remiss in some statements lately it was
received and stamped at once doubtful-but
alas, the government organ, the Republic has
published statement ofthe whole transsc-
ton and we must believe that we are either
on the eve OF rupture with our soilissant--
republic across the water or she must bend the
suppliant X nee to the Land of Liberty Like
all great matters this affairs originated in
very petty, mean spirit, fairly out Of moth,
'ng, resisting a just claim of salvage preferred
by Capt Carpenter of tho IL. s. Steamer
Iris for relieving French bark, the Eugenia
from dangerous position on the rock Ell Ri
so near Anton Lizardo, off Vera Cruz Gul
of Mexico. Coupled with return O. some
tobacco TO the proper proprietors during the
Mexican Campaign, by military court al
the head OF which sat Col. Childs, for which
Mr.. A. PoRr. who had purchased it,
claims damages. The following is the be-
ginning Of the Drama.
On the 9Th day of February last Mr.. Pous.
SIN, in note TO Mr.. BUCHANAN, alleged that
he was charged by the Government with the
prosecution of a claim against the United
States, brought by IL Frenchman named A.
PoRT, established in Mexico, for indemnifca-
ton for damages sustained by him from the
acts OF certain agents ef;he army Of the Uni.
ted States. His application was in the nature
o. an appeal from the sentence of a Military
Court OF Inquiry at Puebla, which had made a
decision to the unfavorable 10 the claim,
This answer being sent by the late secretary
ot state, II was brought to the attention Of Mr..
CLAYToNwho devoted himself to its inyestipa-
ton, with the view of gratifying Mr.. PoUssIN
n by decision. Within ten days from the time it
was presented to him, Mr.. c. announced 10 Mr.
/: that ne had arrived at the conclusion that
hr: FORT had no just cause 10 be dissatisfied
with the award OF the military court of inquiry.
ihis award, had been regularly sanctioned
and approved by Gen. ScoTr, the commander
in-chce. Dissatisfied with this decision. Mr..
+. on the 18th Of March, addressed note to
the Secretary of State, in which he reviewed
the supposed grounds OF the decision, and ami.
madverted with some severity on the testi
mony OF distinguished officer of the Ameri-
can army IN Mexico, who had been witness
before the court at Puebla
This Mr.. G.. respectfully answered assign
ing his reasons for his decision On the 18th
oi April G.. MIR. received another note from AIR.
L. IN which the Minister ndulged in strain of
lnvective evidently intended TO he highly or
lenslVe TO the American Government. The
correspondence was Immediately submitted
hy me Secrefary OF State 10 tho PRESIDENT,
VINO directed him to lose no time in requesting
MIR. 1'oUssIN TO repair to Washington with.
out unnecessary delay.
Ihe offensive note was dated at Washing
York, upward of two hundred miles distan,
from this city. Bearing OH it's face an insult
to the American Government, deliberately
gwen IN the very capital OF the United States,
winch II not satisfactorily explained or re-
tracted, would have required that all cores
ponnence with hum as minister should ter
inmate without delay, It was made important
10 h''nseif and Government tha, he should
lose 10 time III repairing to Washington
Ohe offensive passage was the ioIloW,np:
"ihe Government If The United Siaies mnst
De continued that IL is more honor aJic 10 aciuu.
t"rl5, debi contracted during nar, under he
pressure Of necessity, Man 10 Grade lis parmcnf
oy endearoring 10 brand the character nf an
no"cS' man The same note contained an
attack upona high military officer, charging
h'in' IN effect, with perjury before military
court; and an attack upon the distinguished
o'nters composing the court, who were charg-
cd with permitting ii.al officer 40 carry out,
without interruption, his string of calu.nnics
incredible" II closed with an insinuation
mat the State Department had become the
organ ct a criminal accusation, without proofs
agliEst Mr.. Port.
Here the high handed position Of the
French Minister in endeavorng il thrust the
word of private individual before the De.
partnent to controrcrt Tic testimony and
actions of some Of its most distinguished Off.
GERS, is very apparent. Notwithstanding all
this, ON his return to Washington he was
allowed TO withdraw this letter and expunge
The offensive expressions and here the matter
was allowed TO rest. But, however, ON the
l2'h OF May, NJ. Poussin, in diplomatic
note in relation to The claim OF Capt Carpen.
le'' making serious charges against that off.
cer' which were promptly laid before the
Navy Department, but in tho mean time,
at the suggestion of the PRESIDENT, Capt.
c. addressed an explanatory note to the
French Minister, making clear statement
OF The whole affair, together with the favora.
bic opinions OF Mr.. CLIrroRp, u. S. Minis.
ter TO Mexico, late Attorney General of the
U. s. and also that OF r. JOHNSON The pres.
ens, a. &. as to his conduct. To which
MIR. l.. returns answer, insulting the general
action OF the Government for acknonledo.
ing the correct conduct of one of it's officers.