The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-17
The Wonderful and Terrible Diplomacy OF
Secretary Clayton.


All the Galphin presses have recently come out
with the very strongest eulogums upon the great
Diplomatic ability which has been exhibited by
Mr.. Clayton during the fourteen months that he
has been a member of the cabinet of Presi lent
Taylor They cite proofs of his extraordinary
skill and foresight, the very acts which have
proved to the majority of the nation that he is
only pettifogging Enthusiastically unfit for his
position, which he has managed TO make the
laughing stock of foreign nations. These Galphin
presses, while they are lauding the Secretary,
do not forget to denounce the Herald for its homes
~ and independence in exhibiting TO the Ameri-
people this quack Secretary in his true colors.
What has Mr.. Clayton done We are willing
TO give his most prominent acts fair examination,
and to the Secretary the full honor and benefit of
all his performances. First. and foremost
of all, is his controversy about nothing, with the
French Minister. Mr. Poussin. In this business
the Galphin presses say he saved "the honor Of his
country Bah! His ignorance of the simplest
forms Of diplomatic etiquette brought about
embarrassment; and his stupidity, which was only
equaled by that of Mr. Poussin, came very near
bringing the two republicsinto war; and would have
done so, but fortunately there were wiser heads
and superior powers 10 either Poussin or Clayton,
on both sides of the water, and these recthed the
blunders of the two diplomats. Good feeling was
restored, and the two nations yet maintain the
most cordial and friendly relations
We will pass over Dir. Clayton's diplomacy in
reference TO smaller powers. We will say nothing
of his silly correspondence (all of which he con-
trives TO make public in unusual and unheard-of
manner) and diplomacy in reference to portions OF
Germany, Portugal, his agent TO Hungary, or with
South Anne rcsn Republics, but come to the crown
ing act Of Mr. Clsyton's life" the Nicaragua
treaty." for which the Galphin presses are bespat-
tering him with unjust praise. We are prepared to
prove that Mr.. Clayton knew no more of Nicara-
qua than he does Of the polar regions, where Sir
John Franklin is supposed TO be located As for
the treaty, he had no hand whatever in its early
formation. Not clause OF line Of it was drawn
up by him, or in the Department of State even.
The treaty was concocted and drafted by Mr..
Joseph L. White, Of this city, who was deeply in,
terest,d in its success, and by him shown to Sir
Henry Bulwer, and Afterwards to Mr.. Secretary
Clayton, and explained to him. This was the iden.
teal treaty which was signed by Mr.. Clayton.
The latter addressed two communications to the
Senate, in reference TO the Nicaragua business,
which exhibited such profound ignorance Of the
subject that he afterwards procured their with
drawal.
SO much for Mr. Clayton's " management Of the
Nicaragua difficulty, which, in less skilful
hands. might have embroiled our country in a war
with Great Britain" as one Of the Galphin Clay
ton ioady papers in Boston observes.
Last, but not least, look at the manner in which
Mir. Clayton has managed the Cuba business. We
showed clearly, few days since, how adroitly
he could write a letter on Sunday to our
Consul in Havana, which he conradicted on the
Monday following Last year be saw TT to nip
Cuba expedition in the bud, and prevent It's
sailing. This year, he thought there would be
more chance for n display Of his diplomacy, by let
ing the Lopez expedition take its departure from
eur shores without molestation. II will not be de-
MED by Mr. Clayton, or by any Of his friends, thaih
did know Of every move, from day TO day, which
the gathering bands Of Cuban invaders were ma
hing. The farce Of parading the letters Of the
Spanish Minister, informing the Secretary daily Of
the moves, before the public, by means Of the Re
ypJlie newspaper. was all Cannon. Mr.. Clayton
was better informed than Mr. Calderon de Ia Barca.
There was not a u. 5. Marshal South, where the
invading forces were congregatng, that did not
give the State Department timely notice If not,
why does not Mr.. Clayton remove such Inefficient
dcputesi
We will mention anotser queer part Of Mr.. Clay
tons system Of diplomacy. since the days Of the
great jefferson. the first Secretary Of State. under
General Washington the important diplomatic cor
rcspondence Of that department has been Kept back
until called forby Congress, or until communicated
60 the two houses by the President as an important
portion Of the annual history Of the leading acts Of
the administration. No Secretary OF State has ever
40 far forgot the dignity Of his own position the
respect due to the President, TO attempt to glori-
~ himself by handing COPY Of an important
"a
Mr.. Secretary Clayton has struck new vein.
His correspondence as Secretary Of State II pub
I.hed the day it is written ; and we do no, doubt
that in many instances tho parties to whom his cor
resFondence Is addressed read it first in the CO.
lumns Of some American newspaper.
The Galphin press will not understand our
position in reference to Mr.. Clayton. The Cal
phn Boston press, to which we have alluded, says
"we have seen att,np,s to praise him (Nr. Clay
tony in the N,r York Hrald" "IIow honorable
and acceptable must be the course Of public ser
want who ertoris PIT lee from such an opponent az
The N,w York H-aifr This Gaphin press
rarity understands us We think the country
safe with an honest, pairotc President like Gen.
Taylor, and al independent set Of men like the
present Congress, even u specie keg was Secre-
tary Of War, and keg of srcng ale ready to burst
was Secretary Of State. We think Mr. CLAYTON
the funniest man that ever bid the reins Of the
State DEPARTMENT, or looked into the bottom Of
glass tumblcr. We pfsise him, ofcourse, on every
opportunity. We will GO further, and cay that
while mems passions IN Congress, and out Of il,
are infamed 10 the highest Jstch, and there Is
great danger Of disunion. Mr. Clayton s constantly
sllaying this excitement. by keeping all parties IN
laughing hurnor with HE diplomacy; and we should
regard his retirement from the State Department
snatonsl calamity Rather than that he shoald do
so,we wouldrelinquish ourhopes seeing ourfrend.
James Watson Webb, appointed to the Court u
e. james, under new Secretary Of State-in-
deed, we would give up our own chances for the
mission TO The French republic Can we use
euongfr language W show how anxious we are
have hT Ciayton rttelned1