Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-10-04
From the Washington Republic:

In consequence OF Tic TumoTs anu state-
ments that have gone abroad, in reference
to an alleged difficulty between Mr. Pous-
sin and the Government Of the United
States, it becomes necessary 10 present a
narration o: facts that might otherwise have
been withheld. An attempt has been made
to create the impression that the circum-
stances to which We refer establish Of ne
cessity unfriendly relations between this
country and France. This is not the case.
Every nation is at liberty to dismiss any
foreign minister, at it, pleasure, on the
occurrence OF anything which is offensive
to its dignity or character--ot which it is
itself, Of course, TO be the sole judge. No
nation has ever undertaken TO resent such
step as hostile or unfriendly act. The
apprehensions, therefore, which seem TO
have prevailed on this subject, are quite
uncalled for; as some Interior action on
the part of France will be necessary 10
interrupt the amicable relations which ex-
list between her and the United States.
On the nh day Of February last, Mr.
Pous,in, in a note to Mr. Buchanan, then
Secretary OF State alleged that he was
charged by the French government with
the prosecution Of claim against the Gov
eminent Of the United States, brought by
a Frenchman named A. Port, established
in Mexico, for indemniication for damages
sustained by him from the acts Of certain
agents Of the army OF the United States.
His application was in the nature Of an
appeal from the sentence of military
court Of inquiry at Puebla, which had
made decision untavorablc to the claim.
No answer was sent by Mr. Buchanan
10 this communication. When it was
brought to the attention of the present
Secretary oil State, Mr. Clayton promptly
devoted himself to its Investigation, with
the view Of gratifying MIR Poussin by a
speedy decision. Within ten days from
the time it was presented TO him, Mr.
Clayton announced to Mr. Poussin that he
had arrived at the conclusion that Mr. Port
had no just cause to be dissatisfied with
the award Of the military court OF inquiry.
This award, we may add, which rejected
Mr. Ports claim, had been regularly sane
toned and approved by Gen. Scott, the
commander-in
Dissatisfied with this decision, Mr.
Poussin, on the 18th Of March, addressed
a note TO the Secretary OF State, in which
he reviewed the supposed grounds Of the
decision, anc animadverted with some Sc
verify on the testimony Of distinguished
officer of the American army in Mexico,
who had been witness before the court
- D,,,I1, I, -. H. al
Mr. Clayton might have declined any fur
Their correspondence on the subject; but,
out of respect, on the 10Th OF April he
replied TO Mr. Pou>sin's decision, and
respectfully con'rover'ing the positions Of
the minister. On the 18Th OF April, Mr.
Clayton received another note from Mr.
Pou>sin, in which the minister INDUCED
in strain of invective evidently intended
to be highly offensive to the American
Government. The correspondence was
Immediately submitted by the Secretary OF
State to the President, who directed him
10 lose no time in requesting Mr. Poussin
to repair to Washington without unneces-
sary delay.
The offensive note was dated at Wash
ins,on, while Mr. Poussin was absent in
New York, upwards oftwo hundred miles
distant from this city. Bearing on its face
an insult to the American Government,
deliberately given in the very capital Of
the United States, which if not satisiacto-
rily explained or retrac,ed, would have
required that all correspondence with him
as minister should terminate without de-
lay, it was made important to himself and
Government that he should lose no time
in repairing to Washington. One ofen-
sive passage was the following: "7he
Gorernmeni Of the United States must be
convinced that ii is more honorable to acquH,
fairly, q debt contracted during a wnr, an
der The pressure Of necessity, than 10 Grade
its payment BY endearoring to brand The
character Of an honest man." The same
note contained an attack upon high mill
tary officer, charging him, in effect, with
perjury before the military court; and an
attack upon the distinguished officers
composing the court, who were charged
with permitting that officer 'to carry out,
withou, interruption, his string of calum-
MES Incredible" 1t closed with an insin-
uation that the State Department, had be-
come the organ Of criminal accusation,
without proofs, against Mr. Port.
1t was in reply TO this communication,
that on the list Of April Mr. Clayton adj
dressed to Poussin the following note:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsH1scroN, April 81, lS49.
Sir: On the afternoon of the 18th in
slant, communication from you, dated
Washington, April -, lS4S, (without
showing the day on which it was written
was received at this office, relative to the
claim of Mr. Port on the Government of
United States, and having just had coca
sion to address you private note, learn
through the messenger who was despatch
ed TO deliver it, tina, you have been, for
the last two weeks absent from Washing
ton, and the period Of your return hither
from New York was quite uncertain.
Under the circumstances, after peru
sal OF your note which was laid before me
this morning, lose not monen, in re-
questing you to repair to this city without
unnecessary delay.
l have the honor to be very respectful
ly, sir, your oheden, servant.
JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.
NJ W.. Trrr Drr.S,,