The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-09-28

which led TO the refusal OF the Administration 10
hold further diplomatic intercourse with him. It's /
is not to be questioned, for it bears
internal evidence Of having been prepared by Mr.. |
Clayton himself Unused to writing editorials, he
speaks in place of the report of the Secretary
of the Navy upon the facts as made "to his De-
partment," which is plainly the Department of
State for the Republic is not, that we know of,
department
The narrative is a condensed view of the facts
and general review of the correspondence, in
GLIDING an argumentative commentary. Only two
letters are given in full--one is a mere note from
the Secretary Of State, inviting NJ. Poussin to a
personal conference IN relation to a letter in the
tobacco case, which is assumed to have been ottsn'
sive to the Government That affair appears,
however, to have been adjusted amicably by the
consent Of M. Poussin to withdraw the passages
which Mr.. Clayton considered offensive, and pre-
sent his communication as required by the Secre-
tary. 1t does not appear that the offence, thus
retracted by the arrangement between the Secre-
tary and the Minister is used as distinct ground for
asking the recall of NJ Poussin 1t is rather treated
as cumulative proof of the dsrespectul tone Of the
communication.
The direct and substantial grievance is in the
other letter, published in full 1t is M. Poussin's
reply to the simple transmission of the official let
tiers of Commander Carpenter, giving to his Go
vernment his own original version of the transae-
ton of which the French Republic complains
The communication of these letters does not seem
to have been accompanied by anything which
indicated final decision by our Administration
on the point made by the French That question
appears to be, that it is unworthy of Captain in
the American Navy, and of the dignity of the
service, to demand salvage for saving a French
vessel and detain her by force for the claim; and
whatever may be the technical claim in law, this
sentiment is just one.
The American Government has, according to
the Republic, given no indication of opinion .
on the merits Of the case, and expressed no doc
trines " on the subject. 1t has merely submitted
to the French Government the explanation of the
officer arraigned. There was room for courteous
inquiry-lor a definite answer-and for the produc-
zion Of any counter proofs, if M. Poussin had any,
His answer was an erroneous assumption, which
carried whit, in Mr.. Clayon's opinion, an insult
ing inference. He tells the Secretary that his letter
is an implied sanction of Capt. Carpenters doc
trines," and that Capt. Carpenters acts are " I'M
worthy of the dignity of the national marine.''
Thus, then, as simply as we can condense it,
stands the point of honor as stated in these papers
M. Poussin expressed his belief that conduct which
he calls unworthy of the national navy, has been
consrucrvelY approved by the Government-and
the Government denies the fact of any such ap-
proval and refuses all further intercourse with NJ
Poussn for expressing so insulting a belief.
We should like to have the whole Of this CORE
spondence, for a more perfect understanding Of
some points that are obscure. The original French
Of the Minister'S letters would also be important,
for so many idiomahc forms of expression are diff
| cult to be translated with a reproduction of the
/ exact meaning. In the old controversy between
this country and France, in the time of Gen. Jack
/ son, serious difficulty came near arising out o.
a translation of one word in letter of NJ Serru.
| rier's Speaking of the position of the American
Government he used the word " preteadu,' applied
! to their complaint of the breach of the French
Kings engagement; and sharp discussion was got
up out Of the question: whether the true translation
was pretended - or merely "alleged "a pre-
tended breach or only an alleged breach In this
| case, we have heard remarks upon the repetition
| in Mr. Poussin's letter of &c MIR. Secretary" as
| though it were a sneer, when in French it is the
! form required by courtesy.
As to any war growing out of this affair, which
would not have grown up without it, we look upoI
that result az improbable The French have n,
right 10 complain of the exercise of the conceded
| privilege of all governments, to dismiss Minister
for personal reasons. If she makes it a cause 70
hustities, it is because she had determined to fint
some ground for quarrelling, and it may as we'll b.
this as any other Great Britain, in the pride o
her power, and when most hostile to the UniteC
States, received the dismissal of Mr. jackson By
| Mr.. Madison, with no other complaint than tina
it was haaiy, and no opportunity had been afforded
| TO his Government to act Mr. Jackson's offence
was in repeating an insinuation that the American
Government knew that Mr.. Erskine had exceede,
his instructions in concluding the treaty which hi
Government disavowed,
By-the.by, in the arrangement which Erskin
concluded for making reparaton to the Unite
States for tile outrage upon the Chesapeake, para
graph was inserted by the American Secretary
State, MIR. Smith, quite as severe upon the BIRTHS
| Government rs that of Mr. Poussin upon ours. w
had demanded the punishment of the captain @
the Leopard, which attacked the Chesapeake
! The British Government refused, and, in fact, pro
NOTED him. In the letter accepting the British
terms, as agreed upon, Mr.. Smith told Mr.. Erskin
that the United States would not insist upon tn
punishment of the officer, but were nevertheless o
| opinion that His Majesty owed it "to his OWL
honor" This phrase produced good deal of ex
element in England, and Mr.. Canning wrote {
tart dispatch on the subject.
There is rumor by telegraph that Mr., Cramp
ton, the British Charge has offered his interpos
ton and been refused. We do not see what be
could expect to do. If the French Government has
refused TO recall its Minister when requested, we
are unable to see how any British mediation coulC
be of any use
Mr. Poussn, it is said, was taken altogether BY
surprise on receiving his dismission, and was, a
the time it was prepared, on a visit to New York
where he was giving and receiving compliments a
a supper with the American Art. Union.
HORRIBLE MURDER.-A little girl named Emil
Cooper, only twelve years of age, was murdered o
the l4th inst, in the town Of North Branford, CT