Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-20
LATEST NEWS.
IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
The Statement of Hon. John Borney.

JUN
Understanding from Washington that the Hon.
John Barney, of Baltimore, had sent a challenge
to NJ. Sartige, the French Minister Mt Washing
ton inquiries were made to the cause of the
difficulty between these two distinguished persons.
and we have received the following statement of
facts, which, we understand, have been made by
Mr. Barney to the President, and in reply to the
complaint of the French Minister, also laid before
the President. This is really more troublesome
question of diplomacy than one involving points of
high public importance. We regret both the
cause of enlargement between the two gentlemen
and the difficulty which it has caused at Wash
ington The charges made against the Minister
are such, no doubt, as he will think proper to an
swer.-M Y. Express.
Copy of Mr.. Barney's Letter.
WASHINGTON, May 18th, 1852.
Among the two hundred and thirteen members
of the Baltimore Club, many are annoyed by CT
smokers, and in the Presidents room are prin-
ted placards for their exclusion.
Last November, on entering, | found it filled
with the smoke from the segars offour gentlemen,
seated around the fire. called their attention to
the rules, and invited them to adjourn to any and
every other fthe thirteen rooms in the house,
where they could indulge themselves uninterrup-
TED. subsequently was informed that it was the
French Minister and suite.
w
sion OF intentional rudeness obtained from the
gentleman who introduced him to the Club let
ter to nj. Sartlge, and after exchanging cards,
ent 1t to him, with polite note, inviting him to
dine with the members of the Cabinet, Foreign
Ministers, Judges of the Supaeme Court, Sena-
TORS &C. This ne declined being spealabement
engagee,' and INDUCED the hoped that I had
made my peace. Not so; on boarthe steamer
Baltic, expressed to Madame regrets at
not seeing her daughter. '.Her sister, you mean"
| said M. Sartige. Ireplied, 81 know that she is
the daughter of her husband; their extreme youth
might induce any to mistake them for sisters.''-
''You are too late with your compliments" re-
piled he.
No. 2 occurred at large dinner party of ladies
and gentlemen. A young lady sang very sweet
| y. remarked that had never heard, out of TIA
| y, more richness, compass, or melody of voice.
He said sneeringy, ''These old Members of Con-
gress are always practising fine speeches.; it's
their vocaton.''
| No. occurred at the Spanish Minister'S
Dancing with young lady, Mrs. - inqul ed
who she was. l turned to whisper her name,
when M. Sartige remarked: ssY our partner has
| turned his back on you, Miss accept nv arm "
| and he led her away.
Mrs. -, remarkable for her Just sense of pro-
prlety, observed that it was sthe most unprovoked
insult she had ever Witnessed" On meeting M .
Sartlge, the next day, in public conservatory,
cautioned him never again speak to, or of me-
AtSenator OWNS bali, which was very crowd
ed, as if to express his discomfort he took a segar
| out OF his pocket, deliberately walked up to the
chandelier suspended in the centre of the draw
ing room, lit it, and walked out, putting his smoke
In the ladies' faces. At the dinner party allu-
ded to, he repeated the same offence, and both in
| my presence. He has remarked within NV hear
ing, that he invites to his parties ssas few mar
rled ladies possible, and no ugly ladies' married
or SINGLE" In many instances no has selected
one pretty girl out Of family, without brother or
sister, rather or mother; and when told there is
an improperly in young ladies visiting a bache-
lor's house without the protection of member of
her family, he replied: ssAmerican women are
always willing to come to party, with or with
out an invitation He daily announces that he
would not be induced to take an American wife
He annoys his neighbors by firing at rats and
cats on Sundays when others are going to church,
and refuses to submit to any interference of the
police, his premises being inviolable.
Having long known Prince Jerome Napoleon
Bonaparte, now President of the Senate of
France, as guest at my fathers house the time
OF his marriage, sketched summary of these
| facts and forwarded them to him on the Sd inst
and addressed to NJ Sartige copy from Bati-
more stating that my friend General
| In case anything therein contained was deemed
exceptlonable, might make arrangements to give
|
at the same time assuring him that his person as
an Ambassador sacred, else | Shout long
since have corrected his bad manners; that would
remain in Baltimore four days to await his action,
as could receive no communication from him in
the District of Columbia. it being the seat of Gnv-
eminent, &c. Nothearing from him, Returned,
resolved to have no intercourse with him of any
character, and have adhered strictly to this reso-
luton considering it due to society not to disturb
its harmony by any personalities.
conceive l had right to report to his Gov
eminent, through friend, that his conduct did
not correspond with the respectcourtesy, amenity
and propriety due from the Minister of France
to the polished circles of Washington, holding
myself responsible to him for any personal in
dignity, and to world for the gospel truth of ali
the averments therein contained
M. Sartige has since appealed for protection to
the Government, which was entirely unnecessa-
ry, as he has twice been assured by letters of the
sanctity of his person; nor woald the sanctity of
refined social intercourse be invaded by the charge
of even hostile look, much less word at til @
seat of Government, nor elsewhere, unless solici-
| ted.
FTTNERAT. OF MRS ADAMS