The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-18
Foreign Correspondence OF tho Republic.
PARIS, July IT.

The United States steam irigate Mississippi,
Captain Long, arrived at the Goletta of Tunis on
the morning of the 2Sth of June for the purpose Of
landing the newly appointed American Consul
General there, Mr.. JOHN HowARD PAYNE. The
ship having been saluted by the castle, returned
the salute; and presently the new consul. in full
uniform, left the frigate in an United States boat,
under a special salute. He was received with
marked respects every head that wore hat being
uncovered he passed by long line of spectators
extending from the landing place to the quarters
of the Governor, where he was formally welcomed.
On approaching Tunis the new consul found all
the European national flags displayed in honor Of
bis return, and on reaching there he was forthwith
Visited by all the foreign consuls in full uniform
On the 7th of July, by a previous arrangement
of the BEY, the new consul presented by his
predecessor at the gorgeous new palace of Maham-
medeah, about twelve miles from Tunis. The pre-
sentation would have been more prompt but for
the recent commencement of the great religious
fast of Ramadan. The consul was attended by the
Chcvalier GAsPARY, American vice-consul at the
Goletta.
On reaching the palace, at near four in the after
noon. the consul was ushered into an ante GROOM,
whittier, almost instantly, messenger came, and,
with low bow, made sign that His HOLINESS
ready for the reception. After winding among
crowds of soldiers-some ak thousand being quar-
tered within the palace walls-at the head of a
staircase leading TO vast marble court, decorated
with noble fountain, the party found one OF the
BEY's foreign ministers in waiting Passin e
through very large and very splendid apart
ments, magnihcently furnished they at length
entered the presence chamber of HIS HIGHNEss,
who, with his brother-in-l law, the HAsNADAR, a ia
vorte minister, and with confidential secretary,
stood at one end of the hall. They all bowed, and
the BEY took his scat, and the visitors were re-
quested to be seated.
DIR. HEAP, the former consul, observed, "I pre-
sent to your Highness Mr.. PAYNE, consul of the
United States"
Welcome be his arrival" said the BEY.
Mr. PAYNE, then rising, with his letter of cre-
dence in his hand, remarked
With heartfelt satisfaction | renew my rea-
tions near your Hghness, by the presentation of
these, my credentials, from the President of the
United States, by whom / am directed to con-
vey to you the assurance OF his friendship and
good will. May the amcable understanding which
has 80 long and so happily subsisted between Tunis
and the American Republic remain forever undis-
turbed."
Mr. PAYNE, while uttering the last sentence, de-
livered to the minister the letter of credence;
whereupon the BEy exclaimed:
"This ia not the first time we have known Mr..
PAYNE, and therefore it is that we glad to see
him once established among us. The cordi-
atty of our relations with his country has re-
manned unbroken many, many years; and we are
happy to receive a representative of America who
will be solicitous are to prevent any inter
ruption of our so long cherished good understand
ing"
Mr. PAYNE then continued
"To this end my own most earnest endeavors
will be devoted; and, from the enlightened and
liberal character OF your Highncss, derive the
most gratifying encouragement to believe that, po-
litically and personally, we shall always continue
friends"
The BEY added:
"Friends, not only formerly, but better friends
in future, we trust, than ever"
Thereupon the Consul bowed the BEY rose, the
ex- Consul shook hands with HIS HpHNEss and
his MINISTERS, and took official leave, andthe GER
emony ended
The interpreter who acted as secretary minister
on this occasion is SON of Count RATIO, one of the
most powerful and confidential of the advisers of
His HOLINESS. The younger RATIO speaks Eng
lish very WELL and lately married an English wife,
whom he brought with him from London.
remarkable feature in the reception of Mr.
PAYNE renders it particularly creditable to HIS
HOLINESS. 1t followed hard upon the enforced set
Element OF an obstinately resisted claim which
arose when Mr.. PAYNE was a few years ago con-
sui here, and which he persevcred i'll sustaining,
after his departure, against the BEY until 1T was
paid. 1t is prerogative of the BEY to refuse to
admit consul if in the least Objectionable to
him; hence the welcome TO Mr. PAYNE, under all
the circumstances, docs equal honor to both par
ties 1t may be fitting to add, by way Of explana-
ton to the uniniated, that Barbary consul is Of
higher grade than consul in Europe, his du-
ties being diplomatic, and resembling those of a
minister charge d'afIaires, and not exclusively
of commercial nature, like the duties of an ordi
nary consul.