Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-09-27
RICHM ND, VA.
Thursday Morning, Sept. 9th, 1S49,
A French VieU of The French Question:

n FFehCB FteU " Tue french question:.
The New York Courier des Eats Unis, whose
opinions concerning the misunderstanding of our
Government with Mr.. Poussn, may be regarded as
indicating the impressions of French citizens resi-
dentin this country, publishes in its issue of Mon
day, the whole official correspondence TRANSLATED
INTO French) and expresses still stronger confidence
than it before felt, that the affair will have no evil
consequences in an international point of view.
The Cabinet at Washington" it says, has fallen
out with Mr.. Poussin; but it has not pretended to
wound the French Government, and the dignity of
our country has not received the slightest reproach
The good understanding between France and the
United States will not have to suffer from an Incl
dent, which, however much to be regretted, has not
the grave significance which journals were
pleased at first to give to it." The Courier had, in
former number, adverted to an important omission
in the semi-offcial statement of the Republic, with
regard to the posture of the affair between the two
Governments. 'The silence of the Republic" it
continues, "and, above all, the comments of GER
tain correspondents, might have eScted fear that
the rupture was more than a personal question, and
that it involved quarrel OF Government with Co
vernment and ultimately of people with people.
1t is then with profound satisfaction that we have
learned with certainty that it has not passed the
limits of personal difference, and that not
withstandng the collision inseparabe from such
an incident, it can scarcely result in any seri-
GUS misunderstanding. The Courier bases this
judgment upon the friendly disposition manifes-
ted in the letters of Mr. de Tocqueville to Mr. Rush.
and of Mr.. Clayton to Mr.. de Tocqueville, and in
the final note of Mr. Clayton to Mr.. Poussin The
editor thinks that if Mr.. Clayton had been some
: what more explicit in signifying the object with
which he transmitted to the French Government the
papers exhibiting the facts of the difficulty with Mr.
Poussin, Mr. de Tocqueviile's reply would have
been more satisfactory "If he had declared formal
ly that it was dsagreeabe to him to treat with Mr.
Poussn, perhaps the minister (Mr. de Tocqueyille)
would have found himself entirely disposed to
agree with him upon that point; but he said simply
See and the minister thought that he added,
Judge He Judges therefore, and as he has no
reason to think that PREPARATION is demanded of him.
he offers none; only, with the earnestness of man
truly elevated he pledges himself to recommend to
the representative of France courtesy and mild
ness in his future intercourse, He regrets, at the
time, the species of bitterness which has mani
tested itself in the past, and moreover makes per-
fecty understood that this sentiment does not in
any manner animate the French Government p
After scanning Mr. Claytons two letters and show
ing how impressively he invites renewal of dipo-
matte intercourse, and disclaims on the part of the
President any desire but to prevent himself from
being exposed hereafter to the "ripactieS'' of Mr.
Poussn the Courier aludes, with great satisfaction
to the respectful tone of the official journals at
Washington and especially to the seduous caution
with which they distinguish between difference
with foreign minister and a misunderstanding
with his Government, and affirm, indeed demon
strate, that the dismissal of minister is
privilege which all powers enjoy, and which
the American Government in claiming for
itself, is the first to accord to others. The
protestations of the Government" adds the Cour-
rier, switch bear the impress of frankness and
sincerity as well those of its organs, establish
in manner the most evident that the decision which
falls upon Mr.. Poussin is altogether PERSONAL and
that ought not TO be an offence IN the eyes of The ac-
tual Government of France still less in the eyes of
the French people,"
But, notwithstanding this gratifying assurance,
the Courier still insists that Mr.. Poussn has been
harshly dealt with, and that more allowances should
have been made for one who had given so many
proofs of his devotion to this country and to repub-
lican principles To this it is to be said, that Mr.
Poussn has himself altogether to blame for the
treatment he has received The issue of his first
difficulty with the State Department ought to have
convinced him that his uiuacities Gas the Courier
mildly calls his intolerable insuts) could not be in
dulged without giving offence And the course of
the President, in frankly referring the whole matter
to The French Government, before adopting any de-
csive step, affords conclusive evidence that there
was every reasonable disposition to bear with the
conduct Of its minister.