The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-09-22
The Dincaisy with the French Mists,er-FuI
Particular.

| a., rhiLADELPHIA, Sep. 49,
Independent, % the Washington correspondent O.,
the North American, on reliable authority, speak.
| ing OF the difficulty between the Govefnmen nj nd
The French Minister, says, by telegraph III IS morn
ing: sin February, poussin. the French Minister.
presented Mr. Buchanan, then Secretary of State,
a claim In behalf of NJ. Porte, a Fienchman,
residing in Mexico. Porte had purchased tobac-
| co, sold by agents of the American Army, knowing
10 De private properly and not subjected 10 the
rules OF war. The tobacco was restored 10 its
proper owner BY Col. Childs, and the purchase
money refunded 10 Porte.
Under IheSe circumstances claim was set up
by the french Minister for damages, being the DIFF
iefence between the price al which Forte had
purchased and sold. court of inquiry was held
ana decided unanimously against the claim, and
this decision was approved by Gen. Scott
Buchanan went out of Office without examining
The case. II then came before the present Admin.
istration--the finding was reaffirmed by CLAYTON
and IN answer 10 a note OF P0ussin's the Secretary
of State sustained the verdict of the court and his
own approval Poussin reloined, charging Col.
Childs, verbally, with perjury, and using rather in
sailing language. lie was invited 10 Washington,
being thea absent, and an alternative OF withdraw
ing or adopting his offensive note was offered. file
withdrew il, and expunged the offensive terms
Tie Then renewed the communication, which was
accepted.
Subs quently, Poussin presented another note
claiming punishment Of Commander Carpenter, 4
under the following circumstances: Commander
SaiPenlei,. Whlie ioHnl1s part Oh The blockadnf
squadron on the coast of Mexico, was called upon
by the Captain of the French ship "Eugenia, 10 |
rescue her from shiPwreck. He, with his crew, |
after much labor, and afterwards re-
quested the legal salvage. This was refused. |
Shereuron Carpenter restored the vessel TO the /
Captain, she having laid alongside the "Iris" for
thirty hours.
Clifford, the minister 10 Mexico, approved Car.
oenteIs conduct. This subject was submitted to
Mr. Clayton, aud referred to Mr.. Preston, who fur
lished Carpenters statements of the facts. Pous-
I'm, not referring the matter TO his Government,
srote an insulting letter TO the Secretary In which
he rejected grossly upon the character and hon.
y OF the American Marine. The President then
irecled the whole correspondence 10 be laid be-
ore the French Government, expecting immedi-
tie and voluntary redress; but instead of any
Itonement being mace, the French Minister of For
ign Affairs attempted TO inculpate our govern.
nent and 10 divide the responsibility. As soon as
mis- intUrmanon was received, the President or
Tered no further correspondence TO be held with
'oussin and his passports to be placed al his dis
,Osal.
The future is shrouded in doubt. De Tocqueville,
he Minister oil Foreign Affairs, must resign, pous-
in must be kicked aside, the French Government
must apologize, or a rupture must ensue. The
Admini stratiOn will not advance inch Tetract
word, andif France wishes war, as there is good
eason TO suppose she does, the responsibility is
N her shoulders. This case admits OF no dipo-
natc cobbIng; it is a question of honor ia which
be U. 5. cannot abandon its high position.