Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-10-10
National Difficulties.

a very small matter 10 engage the atten-
ton which has been bestowed upon il.
The facts as stated by the French Minis
ter, are simply ,hcse:-In October, 1847,
Captain Webster, OF the L. 5. army, posted
up notice, that on n certain day, 500
bales Of tobacco would be sold at public
auction, at the barracks Of San Jose. AZ
the sale, NJ. Port being the higher bidder,
the tobacco was struck Off to him. He
subsequently sold the tobacco TO another
party at an advance Of "a 500; and this
party re-so!d at profit Of $1,000. In
this state Of the affair the tobacco was
taken possession Of by the L. S. authori-
ties; and was. by the decision Of a mill
tary court, delivered to NJ. Domercq, who,
il seems, had purchased it previous TO the
public sale, Of General Worth. In con-
sequence of this proceeding. NJ. Port was
deprived Of his -. 800 profit, besides hav-
ing to pay TO the person to whom he had
sold 81 900, which the latter had been
compelled to refund to the individual who
purchased Of him. NJ. Port. therefore.
claimed Of the American government, the
sum Of IS, 500, and placed his claim III
the hands OF the Minister of France-by
whom, il is commended, tina, the sale being
public, and made by authority Of the L.
States, our government is bound in justice,
TO admit aud pay it. IL is resisted, on the
At. ~ ~
perry belonged to NJ. Domercq. and the L.
>. officer was about to sell without right.
This is the groundwork Of the correspon-
tence between the French Minister and
the Secretary Of State, and in which the
former used language considered so ex-
ceptionable, as TO require to be Withdrawn.
The second transaction embraced in
the correspondence, relates TO a claim for
salvage, made by Captain Carpenter, Of
the U. S. steamer Iris, for saving the
French ship Eugene, Off Vera Cruz,
whilst on the Rock FL Rso, near the
anchorage Of Anton Lizardo, in 1915.
The French vessel was in imminent
peril. and was saved only by the most
laDorious exertons Of the officers and
crew Of the Iris. The Attorney General
Of the United States, (the Hon Reverdy
Johnson,) declares it to be proper case
for the charge Of salvage; and such was
also the opinion of Mr.. Clifford, the Ameri-
can Minister to Mexico. But the captain
- Tho lis altar J,fa;r;r, Tho E,,r,p;o
for short time, released her without re-
ceiving salvage-and the French Minister
asks that he shall be severely reproved.
by his government, instead Of being
thanked by the Minister, for his act Of
humanity; and, because our government
cannot see anything in the translation
which merits reproof, and declines to adj
minister it at the suggestion or demand Of
the French Minister, he has INDUCED in
the use Of language so offensive as to
induce the President 10 decline further Of
fetal intercourse with him. And this
offensive language is not only justified by
the Minister Of Foreign Affairs in France,
but he presumes to censure the conduct OF
the administration.
How this affair will terminate, time only
can determine. We trust, however that
our government has no disposition to dis
surb the amicablc relations which has
heretofore existed between the two ma.
tons. The letters of Mr.. Clayton are
finn and dignilied, and yet Of such a
character as not to excite any i'll feeling
on the part Of the French.
Rumor reports that there has also been
. sharp correspondence between MIR. Clay
ton and the English government in regard
to the course Of that government respect
ing the Misquito country. We do not
apperhcnd that there will any serious
difficulty arise from this matter. There
appears however 10 be determination on
the part Of our government to prevent. if
possible. the British from colonizing one
more foot Of American territory. 1t is
very evident that the English have for
years been cndeavoring to work her way
so as to obtain foothold in the Mosquito
country. She, il is said, assisted the saw
ages Of that country in their revolt from
the Nicaraguan government. and finally
placed, half negro and half Indian in
power, and has since controlled his actions
literally furnishing the means to sustain
his administration: and that in return they
have secured by treaty the ercfnsjre right
to erect trading houses. ports. &c. on the
St. Juan river. and the navigation of that
stream.
The importance Of these concessions
can at once be realized when it is under
stood that the Mosquito coas, in a great
measure commands the Gulf OF MEXICO.
and the ST. Juan river. from the out let to