The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-13
M. cr.y.oa ana M. D,pl.m..y.

OF the federal press, and its correspondents writing from
this city, OF the forthcoming message Of the Executive
and the reports Of the heads OF departments which will
accompany that document And among other intima-
tons given out through those sources is the effect
that Mr. Clayton the Secretary OF State, will make re.
port from his department. in which he will review the
foreign policy Of the cabinet and lay before the country
afu and complete history Of the and spendor Of
his own diplomatic achievements We are always sus.
picous OF this praise in advance. We have observed
that when the appearance Of any man. event. pre-
luded with great flourish Of trumpes, the exhibition
actually made falls far short Of public expectation And
such. anticipate will be the fate Of the great executive
documents whose ingress into the world has been her
aided with SO much noise and parade by the organs Of the
cabinet
We know not what the other Secretaries may have to
say, wonderful in its character arrest the aen-
ton and command the applause of the public noiens
poiens but we anticipate something OF the complex
ion Of Mr. Clayons report Gan unprecedented document
by the way) he shall give true account Of the events
which have happened during his remarkable Of
diplomacy, nothing extenuadng setting down aught
in malice. And as the political battles Of the year
are over, and we find but little material for our ed
toral columns, propose briefly to review the
prominent events which have signalized the career
of the present Secretary Of State But before proceed
ing to particular acts, we will briefly remark, that
when the Secretary assumed his portfolio, he did it
under very dsadyantageous circumstances. The pre-
ceding administration had just resigned the seals Of
Office under the most favorable auspices In its diploma
cy, well in its general satespanshp, had exceeded
all other administrations in the bancy Of its plans and
its achievements, II had preserved friendly relations
with all the powers Of the world except ONE and with
that one it had waged an honorable and most glorious
war, resulting in the most splendid acquisitions Of terri
oral domain, political power, and wealth In view Of
this brilliant and successful diplomacy Of the preceding
administration. Mr. Clayton felt conscious that the ad
mnstaton Of which he aspred to be the real head must
also do something to distinguish itself And as the
former had gained most popularity by the bold and
stern tone which it held towards all other powers,
he evidently came to the conclusion that his wsest
to initiate the conduct Of his predecessors,
and therefore he seems to have set about picking quaes
with the different powers of the world with whom we
had diplomatic relations. But even this policy he felt
bound to modify order to satisfy his predictions
and silence his conservative friends at home And there
fore he seems to have concluded, that while he played
the bully and baggar, he must also shape the policy
OF the government that should not any way interfere
with the efforts, which the soveregns Of Europe
then making crush down the people, and put end to
the republican movement going in that part of the
world Such to have been the general views which
guided the outset of his diplomatic career. We will now
refer to particular events.
His first diplomatic demonstration made upon the
German steamship AT that period our readers well know
that great effort making to bring about grand
confederation Of the German States upon the principles
of our own federal Union A constitution, remarkable
for its enlightened and liberal provisions was framed
and adopted and everything promised success to the great
movement general government having been formed,
il was resolved to have navy and. with that view.
steamship purchased in this country, and two others
in Great Britain all Of which were to be converted into
vessels Of and fitted out in the respective countries
to which they first belonged The two steamships per.
chased in England fitted and sent 10 Germany
and the fact was never considered either by the govern
ment OF Denmark OF that Of England as breh OF the
laws OF neutrality The administration Of Mr. Polk did not
deem the purchase and fitting out Of vessel in ports
under such circumstances breach OF our neutrality
But the moment Mr.. Clayton came into Office he ar
rested the proceeding, the preex that il viola.
ton OF neutral obligations to Denmark. He ev.
identity meditated the act very after he into
power II not BEFORE and about procure the neces
say Order through the Secretary Of the Navy
plish his purpose And then, after the order was OBJ
taned the agent OF Denmark first appears upon the STAGE
evidently invited by Mr. Clayton, and makes his protest
against the act Much diplomacy ensued but finally the
ship permitted TO sail, under bonds which ut
tery inefficient to the end Of preserving neutrality,
Mr. Clayton proposed Thus his first demonstration was
against friendly liberal poicer, endeavorng TO establish
eonfederave union upon the basis Of free constu
ton. And he guilty Of an act which Lord Pal
merston with all his conservative and monarchca pre-
elections, would not stoop 10 commit
His next grand achievement was in the affair OF Rey
Rey, Spanish subject, abducted from New Orleans
and carried to Havana supposed tand assumed to
be by the cabnet by the Spanish consul and his agents.
at the instgaon OF the Governor General OF Cuba II
the facts assumed by the cabinet rueand have
doubt that they arehe abduction involved not only
personal injury TO Rey, but gross and fragrant insult
to our flag Il was violation OF the sacred soil OF
country the asylum Of the oppressed from other lands
fleeing to il for safety And that national insult was
more fragrant and OF importance in its ultimate con-
sequences than the personal injury done to Rey Now
what did Mr.. Clayton under these circumstances He
made demand for the return Of Rey, but does not dp
pear that he has TO this day demunded repardton for the
gross national insult involved IN has abduction Rey
returned il is true but il has leaked out, among other
things which have got out from this very ieaky admins
that IN. return Raw he resulf mn.