The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-09-24
New York, Monday, September "a, Is40.
The Dimcuity with France-Mr. Clayton
and Mr.. POussin.

New York, Monday, september 81, Ie4os
The Difncuity with France--Mr. Clayton
and mr.. Poussin.
We published yesterday, the whole Of the cor
respondence which has taken place between our
government and that Of France, in relation to the
recent difficulty, and the reputation of MIR. Poussin.
calm examination Of that correspondence by
an impartial mind, will prodace differences some
what different to those which have been drawn
by the newspaper eulogists OF Mr.. Clayton, In
reference TO the origin, the nature, and the cir
cumstances, attending this ridiculous quarrel with
a weak functonary.
The fret blow IN this diplomatic scufle, was
undoubtedly gwen under the advice of Mr.. Clay
ton, the American Secretary of State, and it was
directed at Mr. Poussin IN his private relations,
at the first diplomatic ffte given by the President
in the White House. This blow created all the
subsequent bitterness and bad feeling which have
prevailed on both sides, IN the correspondence be-
tween Mr. Clayton and Mr. Poussin. II Mr..
Poussp, in consequence Of his social relations,
was unfit 10 ass 0rIate with other members Of the
diplomatic CO at Washington, the proper course
for our govern Mt to have pursued, would have
been at onoe 1 nave demanded his recall BY the
French government, before he had commenced
any negotiations respecting the claims which he
afterwards presented. If the morality and prin-
ciples of the French government would not allow
them to recall him, in order to satisfy the strong
puritanical feeling OF the government at Wash
lngton, it would have been the duty Of the Pres-
dent, when such refusal was communicated to him,
to repudiate the French Minister; bat by no
means to wait and complicate the affairs and re-
latops Of the two great and only republics in the
world. The controversy should not have been
permitted to 20 on so far and If Mr.. Clayton were
fit for his position, and possessed the usual share
of intelligence and tact, he would have taken
proper stand as early as March last, on the very
ground from which has sprung all the acerbity and
bad feeling in this business.
With regard to the probability Of war result
ing from this business between the two republics,
we cannot regard limitations Of sucha contingent
ey occurring, no matter IRON what quarter they
may emanate, in any other light but as iallacious
or farcisl The tone OF the French Minister Of
Foreign Affairs convinces Of the accuracy Of eur
opinion. That functionary even goes SO far as to
express surprise at the harshness and bad feeling
which are exhibited in the correspondence, con-
cernng sach a small affair The limitations
thrown out in the newspaper articles, published
under the inspirations of Mr.. Clayton, that Louis
war on the United States, in order to create feel
ing of sympathy in the bosom Of the European
despots for him and against this county, utterly
abrurd and hostile to all the correct differences thai
can be drawn from the nature, character and his
iorical aniecedenis Of the French people. What
ever may be the sentiments or policy Of Losis
Napoleon, there can be no mistake about the feel
ings and sympathies entertained by the French
4 a..
ment and people Of the United States. Ii war
occur within few years, between France and
any other county, we believe twill be war with
England, and not one between France and the
United States. The French people, both civil and
military, have been burning for thirty years past,
to WIPE cut the stain Of Waterloo, and, with the
vast Improvements which steam has made IN ma
rine navigation, they believe they could transpor
French army TO the shores CT Eng land, in spite OF
all the fleets in The world, and renew, in our day,
some Of the mos, brilliant enterprises Of the Nor
E,ens in the time Of William the First. !, is
much more likely that, under the influence OF
Russia, with which country Louis Napoleon seems
TO have a strong sympathy, a difficulty would
socner take place between France aud England,
leading to a war between the two countries, than
that any difficulty between France aud the United
States should occur.
With this view of the matter, how puerile, If not
how unwse, has been the conduct OF Mr. Clay
ton, our Secretary Of State, to menace our CON.
meroial interests with war between this country
and France, such paltry and contemplate
quarrel az he has got up with the weak and ILL
tempered Mr.. Poussin. The Secretary's organs ia
Washington, Phlladep hia and New York, pre-
tending to advocate all the doctrines Of peace,
have been the busiest and most clanorOus ia en-
deuyonpR 70 create panic IN favor OF war, rcrely
to hide the mbecihiy and Stiffness of Mr.. Clayton
Ia this quarrel wih Mr.. Poussin, originating ia the
exclusion Of a lady from the diplomatic Jtes Of the
White House, in consequence OF peep behind
marriage certificate, s,eel,hily taken by modern
Peeping Tom.
We are glad, therefore, that this contemplate
humbug is rapidly blowing over. People are be-
ginning TO recover their senses-to see where the
errors have been committed, and 10 acquit both the
President of the United States and the French go
,ernmeni Of any desire to bring about state Of
ali, nation, leading To a war between the two re-
rubIscs but they Will not hold equally gultless the
iollv the inipertInence, the aud bad tenn
rer hon, Of Mr. Clayton, the Secretary Of State ut
Wishing, on, aud Mr.. Poussn, the French Minis
ter Plenpoteniiaiy.
NKws FROM CALIFORNIA The popular steam
ship Crescent Cisy, Captain stcddard will be due
here on Wednesday, from, Chagres and Kingston,
Jamaica She may bring We three weeks later |
intelligence from California;