Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-09-21


had already resolved let the captain resume the chare
OF her, when he received note from the consgree say
ing that he could not act in the matter the vessel was
not yet in port and at the same moment, the captain
the Eugene coming board, he returned The vessel tc
him." 1t was under these circumstances that Mr. Pos.
SIN wrote the note of the Both Of May last which follows
LEeAmoNoF FRANCE,
WASHINGTON, MAY 30. I84o
SIR received on the 18th of May the note which Won
did me the honor address to on the same dav in
answer to mine calling upon the Government ofhe United
States to disavow the conduct OF Commander Carmen
der ,ofthe American steamship Iris towards the French
ship Eugene, OF iavfe, which had upon the bank OF
Riso near the anchorage Of Anton Lzardo
The explanations given by Commander Jarnender are
not of nature, Mr. Secretary of State such as to dspeI
the discomfort which proceedings have caused to my
Government.
He considered he says and he still considers that the
case was one OF salvage; that the rights acquired by him
the saver OF the vessel saved empowered him keep
possession OF her until his exrayaqaut pretensons were
fully sased but his opinions have little interest in our
eyes, when we have occasion to condemn his conduct
called on the Cabinet at Washington, Mr. Secretary OF
State IN the name OF the French Government address
aseveIe reproo to that officer of the American navy in
order that the error which he has committed on point
involving the dignity of your national marine MIGHT NOT
be repeated hereafter.
From your answer, Mr.. Secretary of State, am I'M
fortunately induced TO believe that your Government sub
scrbes the strange doctrines professed bv Command
Carpenter, Of the warsteaner Iris; and have only TO
protest, in the name OF my Government against these
doctrines.
your obedient servant,
-, GUnLAUME TELL POUssIN.
Hon. ]. NJ. CLAYTON
Secretary of State
There had BEEN in fact no doctrine advanced in regard
to the case OF Commander Carpenter there anv
indication OF an opinion on the subject of salvage Mr.
Poussln, as to make out for denunciation as
sued that Strange doctrines had been adopted bv The
Executive which compromised the dignity Of our nation
al marine"
In his note Of May 3Oth the French minister sneas Of
his previous communication dated 18th of Nav in rela-
ton to this SUBJECT as one merely calling upon the Govern
Commander Carpenter In point Of fact his note Of the
18th OF May not only demanded such disavowa but
insisted that severe blame, at least should be laid on
those who thus considered themselves empowered to sb-
stute arbitrary measures for Justice" The Government
might have accompanied disavowal of Commander
Carpenters conduct with severe censure but dsa-
Vowa OF the principle OF salvage, his right it, would
not OF necessity have implied celsue. Mr. Pous-
sins note of the 18th Of May was not understood nor
could it be Interpreted as demanding merely dsayowal
OF the law under which Commander Carpenter claimed
salvage for his crew. To demand upon the Presdento
dlsayow law OF the land and the usages Of nations un-
der law OF nations, would have been sufficient an
sWer to have replied that not the province of the Ex
ecutve to make or repeal laws it is his duty to execute
them as they actually exist Mr. Poussn's construed
to charge Commander Carpenter with abuse of authority
in illegally OBTAINING the French vessel.
twill be observed that the defence Of Commander Car
pender placed the hands of the French minister with
the expectation of their being forwarded to the French
government and with the hope, expressed by the Presi
dent that an inspection OF the papers would the
Mr. Poussn did not give the cabinet Of France an oppo
tuny OF deciding the in its aspect but inrnedi-
atey denounced the commander, without considering his
defence which he regarded as matter Of little interest IN
ms eyes when he had occasion condemn the conduct of
an officer OF the United States. An mperious refusal to
permit American officer to be heard in his defence bv
the government which accused was not made more pala-
table to the Executive by the conemptuous sheer that ac
companiedit. The United States Government had asked
as an act common justice to metorous and faithful
officer, that he be heard matter affecting his private
ana ofhcial character and was natural to suppose that
ms conduct IN saving French ship, and abandoning his
clam to salvage, would exempt him from censue though
ltmgh fal to receive the appreciation OF the French 60
yenment 1t was felt to be due Commander Carpen-
der that he should be condemned without evidence or
hearing and refusal OF common right was deeply
felt, as unjust, insoent and rude
Mr Mason the late Secretary Of the Navy in letter
toCommander Carpenter dated November 2Sth, lS4S
had officially approved his in this very matter:
there was evidence adduced against him. and vet Mr.
foussn decides that he had committed which dero
gated from the dignity OF the national marine and pro-
ceeds to impcate the American Government in the dis
creditabe conduct of its officer lie protests against the
action of the American Executive in the name Of the
French Government thus presenting himself before the
President and his Cabinet having been commissioned to
lecture them upon what concerns the dignity and honor
OF our national marine
On the receipt OF this extraordinary letter the President
determined to submit Mr. Poussns correspondence to the
French government without assuming to prescribe the
course winch that government should adopt under such
peculiar circumstances towards friendly power; and Mr.
Poussin duly advised Of this determination In COM
ing 10 this decision the President was actuated by nro
found regard Tor the existing friendly relations with sister
republic, and sincere desire that those relations should
continue undisturbed Accordingly the whole corres-
pondence was communicated to his excelency the Minis
ter OF Foreign Affairs Of France, the 9TH of July by
Mr. Rush. =
Atlength finding it apparent that the French govern
ment wholly refused redress the wrong inflicted nv the
French minister the President felt himself constrained 10
terminate Mr. Poussns official intercourse with this Gov
eminent and thus preclude an opportunity which might be
again abused.
The relations thus terminated between the Minister OF
France and the American Government do not imply or
necessarily lead to cold hostile intercommnncation
between the two governments In the OF Mr. Jackson
Minister OF Great Britain, whose relations with this 60
velnment were terminated by Mr.. Madison in 1909 in
peremplory manner, and for less pointed insult no
difficulty between this country and England At
another time we may referto that misunderstanding
at ength but suffice say for the present. that unless
which we have no evidence in any thing that has hitherto
transpred-no disturbance OF the friendly relations be-
tween this and that country possibly occur.
In putting an end to the official relations OF Mr. Poussin
with the United States the Executive has informed both
the government OF France and the late minister Of France
that any communication through any other channel will
be respectfully received and considered.
The National Inteigencer aludes in general terms to
the misunderstanding with Mr.. Poussin and says
There is nothing in the occurrence we are persuaded
with the rational disposition which may be presumed be
reclprocao the part OF both Governments to Justify the
apprehension OF any thing like rupture between the two
countries
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