The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-21
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
FRIDAY MORNING SEPT. 81, ls4s.


which Is given IN the hpuhc OIL yesterday OF the cause
that induced the administration to refuse to recognise
longer M Poussn the representative Of France to the
United States NJeA4s6s
II we were satisfied that the rights Of the United States
have been in any directly violated, il any in
suit had been intentionally cast upon the honor Of our
country, we would not hesitate moment to sustain
the administration. il il should 90 too far in de-
handing redress But the matter stands at present.
see no adequate for the violent excitement
which has been created Inyew Of the manner in which
the administration has brought this matter before the
public and the continued silence OF the National Ite
gencer (heretofore the organ Of Mr. Clayon) to the
facts Of the case cannot help suspecng that there
matters behind the curtain to account for the
extreme length to which the Secretary has proceed
ed, other than what has been engendered by the
case Of the French ship Eugene The reader will
perceive, by reading the article which we extract
from the Republic, that an effort is made to bring
IN the diplomatic discussions relative to the case Of
Port which had been concluded and disposed of in order
to affect the public mind in considering difficulty entirely
unconnected with that transaction. We not disposed
at any time to defend the conduct Of foreign minister
whenever he comes into collision with the authorities Of
the United States matter what party is in the ascend
ant We therefore say at once that the tone Of M Pous
sins note relative to the case Of Port was couched in
improper language. and that the Secretary Of State did
perfectly right in calling his attention to it. We say
further that any discouresy which his language con-
veyed was promptly Withdrawn by him when his ntten
ton was thus called to it. His withdrawal should be
considered having settled that matter and we see
no reason in bringing il forward at this time, except to
prejudice the public mind against the French minister
Discardng, them that irrelevant circumstance,
to M Poussn's note in relation to the ship Eugene.
We have read that note carefully; and while it is not
couched in such terms would have best suited the
occasionwhst il does not manifest that refined polite
ness and great courtesy which dpomatss ought use
when they address each otherwe are at loss to per-
ceve that conveys any gross insult to government
All this courtesy is doubtless very pleasing the parties
concerned yet well how the omission to use
tn the note before should be looked upon good and
sufficient for national quarrel We leave out OF
view the rghtfulness OF Commander Carpenters claim
for salvage for rescuing the Eugene from her peous
situation at Anton Lzardo We are gnomn both of the
law, and the custom which prevail, when our naval
officers have il in their power 10 render such services;
and we no necessity at this time OF troubling
selves to gain information those points. II we
derstand the matter rightly, Mr. Clayton not offended
the position assumed by the French government or the
French minister but al the language used in maintaining
that position Our readers judge of that language
for themselves. AS far we are concerned we must
confess that at loss to perceive anything in
tentionaly and extremely insulting in it. Nor do the
editorial remarks Of the Republic enlighten us in the
least They seem point to the following as the most
Objectionable portion Of M Poussn's note When speak
ing Of Commander Carpenter this language used by
the French minister:
"He considered he says, and he still considers that the
OF salvsge that the rights acquired by him
the OF the vessel saved empowered him keep pos
session Of her until his extravagant petcnsions were fully
sasied; but his opinions have but little interest in
eyes, when we have occasion TO condemn his conduct"
The Republic forbears to comment upon any other
paIt OF NJ Poussins note and seems to conne lis re-
marks TO this particular passage Now, we cannot see
that there is anything particularly offensive in this Ian
guage M Poussin pronounces Commander Carpen-
iers claim for salvage ertravdgant pretenson. and
says that his opinion that he entitled salvage is
matter Of no consequence to the principles involved
That is the plain meaning Of his language and we ven
to say that Commander Carpenter to whom il REFERS
has too much good even think OF being offended
at il.
The subsequent remark in the same note is not serious
" commented in the organ, viz that the claim for sal
wage in this "a point involving the dignity Of
your (ou national marine This remark OF the French
minister is not very courteous though il is far short OF
he language attributed TO thy OF the correspondents
Of yesterdays Baltimore Sun, viz: 81 sorry 10 find
that the American government is utterly insensble TO
the dignity, and ignorant OF the interests Of lis marine
service, ii has shown itself 10 be in this transaction
But is the language employed by M. Poussin much
stronger than what was addressed by Mr. Rves TO the
french government in 1894 We all recoect with what
tone he rebuked their want OF faith. He spoke
reely not Of one department OF the government only,
but Of the government itself. in relation 10 our claims
While dappro OF the loose and not very courteous
manner in which M Poussn pleased pass his opinion
upon the "dgny Of national marine" yet we hum.
bly, conceive that by far the better course OF the Secrea
y would have been TO call the attention Of the minister
ohsnoe with plain intmation that such general phrases
should not be rcpeated otherwise we should be under
the dsagreeable necessity Of complaining TO his govern
nent We should have supposed that this course would
have been wiser than to risk, for such reason the ex-
stence Of the usual amicabe relations between France and
the United States We should have supposed that this
rank and manly would have been calculated 10
produce, under the circumstances the proper effect and 10
have preserved all the amcable relations which prevail
between the two countries
Mr.~Clayton, stickler he is for diplomatic elegance
and pompous courtesy, must know that the time has
rome by when republics 20 TO war because Secretary NJ