The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-09-28
che Gantastcr Go;rtte.
LANCASTER, OHIO.
Tuesday, September aS. Is49.
Difficulty with France,


of France. The following is said to be a
correct version OF the affair:
10 February, NJ POussin, the French
Minister, presented to Mr.. Buchanan, then
Secretary Of State, a claim in behalfof.Mr
Porte, Frenchman residing in Mexico,
under the following circumstances; Porte
purchased quantity Of Tobacco sold by the
agents of the army of the United States,
knowing it to be private property, and not
subject TO the rules of war. The tobacco
was afterwards taken by Col. Chihls, and re-
stored to its owner, and the purchase mon
ey refunded to Porte. Under these circnm.
stances claim was set up, by the French
Minister, for damages-being the difference
between the price at which it was purchas,
ed by Porte, and that at which it was sub
sequently sold. A court of inquiry was
holden, which, on hearing decided unani-
mously against the claim, which decision
was approved by Gen. Scott.
Mr.. Buchanan having gone out of Office
without examining the case, it came before
the present Administration. The finding
was re affirmed by Mr.. Clayton, Secretary
of State, who, ia answer to note of VI.
his approval. NJ. poussin rejoined, IN an
intemperate manner, charging Col. ChiIds,
in effect, with perjury; aud employing 9TH
er language of insult On the reception of
his note, he was requested to return to
Washington-belng then absent-and on
hiB arrival the opportunity was presented TO
him to withdraw the offensive communica-
ton. He withdrew il, and expunged the
offensive terms, and offered renewal of the
correspondence, which was accepted.
Subsequently NJ. Poussin presented anoth
er note, claiming the punishment of Com-
mander Carpenter, of tine United States ship
Irl, under the following circumstances
Com. Carpenter, while attached to the
blockading squadron, on the coast of Mexi.
co, was called upon by the captain Of the
French ship Eugenie, to rescue her wreck.
lie, with his Crew, succeeded after much la
Dor, and afterwards requested the payment
of the legal salvage. This was refused:
whereupon Carpenter returned the vessel to
the captain, after SHE had lain alongside the
Iris for thirty hours. Mr.. Clifford, U. s.
Minister to Mexico, approved Of the conduct
of Lom. Carpenter. When this subject was
submitted to Mr.. Clayton, it was referred
to Secretary PreNon, who furnished Car
penders statement of the facts. Poussin in
stead of referring to his government, wrote
an insulting letter to the department, in
which he reflected grossly upon the charac-
ter and honor Of the American Marine.
Upon the same subject, the Washington
Correspondent of the Baltimore Sun makes
the following remarks:- ..,.
"When NJ. Poussln's first dscourteous
note was received, it was supposed it might
have been unintentional, aud, acting IN the
most friendly spirit, its imprnpriety was, I'M
officially, pointed out TO him, with sugges-
tion that lie should withdraw it and send one
framed more in accordance with diplomatic
etiquette. He complied with the friendly
suggestion and it was of course then believ-
ed his FIRST note was merely an inadvertent
offence. In short time, however, he had
again occasion to write upon the same sub
ject, and his letter was still more discour.
teous--insulting perhaps is the proper term
than his first note. Notwithstanding this,
the matter was investigated. aud it was
found that the charges he had brought a.
gainst an officer connected with an impor.
tant branch of the public service, were moi
only interpretations, but in fact wholly
unfounded, and proofs Of his error were for
warded TO him. Ills reply to this was most
offensive, and at length SO much so, that the
Government refused to correspond with him
further, and forwarded the whole matter tC
the Ere nch Government for their consdera.
ton. This occurred last May. Their an.
swer has been received, and in the most su.
percillious way they decline interfering in
the matter, and consequently endorse the
lmperinence Of their Minister. .-!
Our government of course could not brook
this insult, and il has, by the last steamer
informed the French government that NJ
Poussin cnnnot be recognized longer as the
representative OF that nation, and that hi.
passports are ready for him. 1t has in fac
demanded his recall"
The letters, which passed between tn,
Secretary of State and NJ. Poussin, will mo-
of course be published until the meeting o
Congress, and we will have ito wait unit
that time for reading ofthem.
This Government of France is a curiou,
mixture of pretented Republicanisn, Will,
at the same time, il appears to be IN leagu,
with the despOts ofEurope TO crush the very
principles ofLiberty. We cannot no have
clear idea ofthe difficulty; but if it be
part of the policy ofthese despots TO distrac
and divide the citizens of this country, anc
thus weaken the cause of Repubicanism
we think thatthey have erred much in choos
ing the means of accomplishing it.
Judging from late Developments, we thinl
that the President of France, at least, an
his Counsellors have but little sympath
with the Republicans of Europe. All til
hopes, that centered in Napoleon, upon hi
advent to the Presidency, were soon crush
ed by the course his Govern ment toward
Rome; aud his familiarity and frendshi
with the Car of Russia does not allow tn
friends of Liberty to place much con6denc
in him.
His intended marriage with the Princes
pESweden will only be another link to bin
him 10 the Russian despot, aud then loo